There was definitely a hint of desperation leading up to Scott Diamond’s season debut against the Angles. While it’s hard to expect a savior out of the young lefthander, who posted a combined record of 5-19 in 30 starts between the Majors and AAA in 2011, all the Twins were looking for was a bit of respectability.
Thankfully, after seven shutout innings against a hot team, and after a 2.60 ERA in six AAA games, it seems Diamond is on his game at the moment. With adrenaline rushing high and opposing teams unfamiliar, it’s not uncommon for starters to come out of the gate with a solid season debut. But if he could simply pitch a few more games with an ERA below 9.00, the team would be much improved from its current straits.
Liam Hendricks is expected to pitch well in Rochester and be back to the big leagues soon. But while he is considered a better prospect than Diamond, it may be veterans, Francisco Liriano and Nick Blackburn, that could be in jeopardy of losing a spot. Both pitchers have shown inconsistency over their careers, and could see time in the bullpen if they cannot improve upon a combined record of 0-9.
The Twins have been short on infielders as of late, and selected the contract of SS Brian Dozier from AAA when Justin Mourneu went of the disabled list with a sore left wrist, the same wrist that was surgically repaired in the offseason. Incumbent shortstop, Jamey Carroll, hasn’t played poorly, but Dozier was simply the best player available. The hope is that Dozier can match or exceed Carroll’s performance, and that Carroll can be a solid utility infielder that the team has lacked.
Losing Justin Morneau is not ideal, but it does give the team an excuse to play Dozier, and to see how it changes team dynamic. It also opens up the DH spot for Ryan Doumit, and pushes Mauer to first base more regularly, where Chris Parmalee has struggled mightily. It’s possible that Drew Butera at catcher, Mauer at first, Doumitt at DH will be standard practice until Morneau comes back.
The addition of Dozier may also mean that struggling third baseman, Danny Valencia, will see more time on the bench. Although a lineup that consists of Jamey Carroll at third, Dozier at short and Alexi Casilla at second seems a bit popless, Valencia is now batting below .200 and seems to be regressing offensively. Starting corner infielders, Valencia and Parmalee, have combined to hit .202 with one home run in 169 at bats. Add in a .140 average by Trevor Plouffe, and the Twins' young position players have completely flopped to start the season.
Meanwhile, the team continued to make minor bench tweaks by claiming backup outfielder, Erik Komatsu, off waivers from the Cardinals. Komatsu is actually a young player with the potential to be a solid role player. While in his brief stint with the team, it was clear that Clete Thomas had a rusty bat and was sent to AAA. In fact, both Thomas and Sean Burroughs cleared waivers, improving upon a veteran depth deficiency in Rochester. It will be interesting to see if either player can produce with consistent playing time, particularly for Burroughs, with the Twins dire need for offense at it's corner infield positions.
Outfielder, Darin Mastroianni, has been hitting .365 with 10 stolen bases in AAA, and would likely be the next call if Komatsu falters.
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