Twins have a reliever for every occasion tonight as they face the Indians

Righthander Tyler Duffey is the starter tonight as the Twins open a three game series against Cleveland. Minnesota, though, has a 13-man bullpen behind him after Tommy Milone and Trevor May were reinstated from the disabled list.

September 9, 2016 at 10:40PM
Minnesota Twins pitcher Tommy Milone throws against the Houston Astros in the first inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Tommy Milone throws against the Houston Astros in the first inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Twins manager Paul Molitor now controls an 18-man pitching staff and a 13-man bullpen.

That sounds like a lot, and it is. But teams are adding relievers left and right this month. After bringing up former Twin Joe Nathan, the Giants have a 14-man bullpen. I'm sure there's a few more.

``If we run into having to pitch (Eduardo) Escobar right now we are in big trouble," Molitor said.

The Twins welcomed lefthander Tommy Milone and righthander Trevor May to the bullpen on Friday as both pitchers have recovered from injuries and have been reinstated from the disabled list. Don't expect them to be thrown into the fire right away. They have had a lengthy layoff and don't have the benefit of going out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. So the rust will be flying off their arms when they first enter a game.

Righthander Tyler Duffey get to show how much he learned during his brief minor league stint when he faces the Indians tonight. Will he be able to control his emotions and control his fastball tonight?

Indians

Carlos Santana, 1B
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Mike Napoli, DH
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Abraham Almonte, LF
Tyler Naquin, CF
Roberto Perez, C

Danny Salazar, RHP

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Twins

Brian Dozier, 2B
Jorge Polanco, SS
Joe Mauer, 1B
Miguel Sano, 3B
Max Kepler, RF
Kurt Suzuki, DH
Lohan Schafer, LF
John Ryan Murphy, C
Byron Buxton, CF

Tyler Duffey, CF

about the writer

about the writer

La Velle E. Neal III

Columnist

La Velle E. Neal III is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who previously covered the Twins for more than 20 years.

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