Working with diminished velocity, a career-low strikeout rate and on pace to give up a career high in home runs, reliever Addison Reed has been trying to find something that works on the mound.
But little has worked, and now he's injured.
Reed was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of triceps tendinitis in his right arm. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging exam revealed inflammation and swelling in the area, as well as a impingement near the elbow, but no structural damage.
Twins officials said the timing is right, with the upcoming All-Star break, for him to get healthy.
"The way I have been throwing is frustrating enough," Reed said, "and then to have this pop up puts the icing on the cake."
Reed signed a two-year, $16.75 million contract with the Twins during the offseason to be the main setup man behind closer Fernando Rodney, or fill in for Rodney if he needed a break or was struggling. Fans clamored for Reed to close when he posted a 0.90 ERA over his first eight appearances while Rodney struggled.
But Reed's velocity dipped and his command faltered, leading to some ugly outings. Over his past 16 appearances, Reed has a 9.42 ERA while giving up five home runs. Opponents have batted .387 while posting a 1.112 on-base plus slugging percentage against him. Consequently, he lost his spot as the eighth-inning pitcher. Now the Twins want to get him healthy.
"We just looked at that little tenderness that he's been experiencing, and thought it was a good chance to take advantage of the break, as well as just make sure that that's all he's got going on," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "And we'll do what we need to do in that regard.