FORT MYERS, Fla. — The numbers didn't surprise the Twins, but perhaps comforted them a bit. Chris Archer's velocity hit 92 mph with his first pitch on Friday, and 93 before the first inning was over. There were three straight 94 mph pitches in the second inning, and he eventually reached 95.
"We were seeing him touch 92, 93 in his [informal workout] bullpens, so it gave us confidence that maybe there was even a tick more in the tank," said Derek Falvey, Twins president of baseball operations. "Every bullpen is lighter than what you see in a game, [because] adrenaline in a stadium is different than when there is a real hitter in the box."
Now the Twins think they may have a real find in their rotation, albeit a two-time All-Star. Archer looked healthy and capable in his first start since signing as a free agent, allowing three runs in 2 2/3 innings, but unhappy with only one pitch, a slider that Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud lined onto the left-field berm.
"Walking away healthy was the No. 1 goal, and No. 2 was to fill up the strike zone. For the most part, I did that," said Archer, whose last two seasons were wrecked by surgery on a shoulder and a hip. "My front side feels so good. I put a ton of work in this offseason to get strong and stable. So yeah, I'm really happy with where my stuff was at, outside of a couple of pitches in that last inning."
The Twins guaranteed Archer, who had been pitching to other free agents in Arizona, only $3.5 million for this season, so the risk is fairly light. The reward, if he can return to something close to his previous form, could be large.
"I was elated with what I saw from him today," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "His stuff was excellent. He was in and around the zone for the entire start. He looked very comfortable out there on the mound. I was thrilled. He looked excellent."
Rooker back from injury
After eight days of resting a sore shoulder, Twins outfielder Brent Rooker returned to action on Friday, taking five at-bats in a minor-league game. With only four Grapefruit League games remaining, the injury has likely foiled any chance the rookie outfielder had of making the Opening Day roster, but he'll still get a look before the Twins break camp.
"It's been a tough go for Rook, but he's continued to work. He's going to play tomorrow [against] Tampa Bay, and we'll see where he's at," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "I can't say for certain how we're handling that situation because he really hasn't been out there for a while."
