Twins add Duffey to roster; Buxton, Gonzalez sitting out Game 1 vs. Tigers

Both regulars are fine, Rocco Baldelli said, but he decided to rest them for afternoon game.

May 11, 2019 at 4:55PM
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) rounded the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eight inning on Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Tyler Duffey (21) at Target Field Thursday April 18, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN.] The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 at Target Field. Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) rounded the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eight inning on Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Tyler Duffey (21) at Target Field Thursday April 18, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN.] The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 at Target Field. Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com (Casey Common — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Tyler Duffey is in uniform at Target Field today, but in true Tyler Duffey fashion, it's only temporary. The righthander has been added to the Twins' bullpen for today's doubleheader with the Tigers, and will be available for both games.

And then, much to his chagrin, Duffey will return to Class AAA Rochester, his one-day pass as the Twins' designated 26th man expiring once the doubleheader does. It's Duffey's second temporary stint with the Twins already this season; after appearing in four games in April, he was optioned back to Rochester. To his credit, he responded by pitching well there — a 1.17 ERA over four appearances totaling 7 2/3 innings — to earn another callup.

Michael Pineda, the lone Twins starter who hasn't thrived over the past three weeks, gets the start in Game 1, but he won't have a couple members of his usual defense behind him. Marwin Gonzalez was kneed in the head last night and Byron Buxton crashed into the center field wall, and while both are just fine today, manager Rocco Baldelli said, the Twins felt more comfortable giving them the afternoon off. All indications are that both will play in tonight's 7 p.m. makeup game, caused by the April 12 snowstorm.

Here are the lineups for today's first game:

TIGERS

Beckham 3B

Stewart LF

Castellanos RF

ADVERTISEMENT

Cabrera 1B

Rodriguez SS

Castro 2B

Dixon DH

Hicks C

Jones CF

Turnbull RHP

TWINS

Kepler CF

Polanco SS

Cruz DH

Rosario LF

Cron 1B

Cave CF

Schoop 2B

Castro C

Adrianza 3B

Pineda RHP

about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

See Moreicon

More from Twins

See More
card image
Rebecca Villagracia/The Minnesota Star Tribune

With no major roster overhaul, new manager Derek Shelton is relying on young players to have breakout seasons.

card image
card image