FORT MYERS, FLA. – The Twins said goodbye to six more players Monday, sending them to Class AAA Rochester or Class AA New Britain. But for at least a couple of them, General Manager Terry Ryan said, the message was more like, "See you later."
Righthander Michael Tonkin, for instance, gave up only one hit and didn't allow a run in his four one-inning appearances this spring, and seems to lack only a little more experience before he's ready for the Twins, Ryan said.
"Hopefully he'll go to Double-A and do the same thing," Ryan said. "Maybe he will be on the fast track."
For now, the 23-year-old Tonkin is headed to minor league camp, optioned to Class AA New Britain along with fellow righthanders B.J. Hermsen and Trevor May, catcher Josmil Pinto and infielder Danny Santana. Catcher Chris Herrmann was optioned to Class AAA Rochester.
May, acquired from Philadelphia in the Ben Revere trade, "has got all the things we're looking for in a starting pitcher candidate. He's got the side, and the arm strength; he can spin a ball," Ryan said. "Now, it's just a matter of attacking the strike zone. … All he has to do is get in that zone, early and often, and his stuff will work plenty good."
The Twins had hoped Herrmann would challenge for a job as a third catcher, because he can play outfield as well. But he went 1-for-10 at the plate.
Guerra in IC unit
Righthander Deolis Guerra is in the intensive care unit of a Fort Myers hospital, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, as doctors monitor the blood clot in his pitching shoulder.
"They can't take him out because of" the unpredictable nature of blood clots, Gardenhire said, but Guerra is in no pain and expects to be released from the hospital in a few days. "He feels fine, but he's being guarded. This is a serious thing they have to monitor."
