Minnesota Twins Relievers Preparing for Return from Injured List

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Michael Tonkin, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins starting rotation took a hit earlier this week when Pablo Lopez hit the injured list with a Grade 2 teres major strain. While their ace is on the shelf, Rocco Baldelli wants more length from what is now an extremely young rotation, in an attempt to put less strain on their bullpen, which has shown signs of cracking recently.

On Saturday night at home against Toronto, the Twins went into the 8th inning with a 3-2 lead over Blue Jays, after 6 more solid innings from Chris Paddack, who’s been pitching out of his mind lately.

Minnesota Twins pitchers blow late lead vs Blue Jays

Unfortunately, Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, Minnesota’s two most-trusted relievers, gave up a total of three runs in those final two innings, and the Twins lost their third-straight game, 5-4.

Despite last night’s late collapse, the Minnesota Twins bullpen has been really good (as has the pitching staff as a whole) through 2.5 months of the 2025 regular season, in large part thanks to a rather clean bill of health, prior to Pablo’s 2-3 month trip to the IR.

Of course, that’s not true for every pitcher on the roster. Righty reliever Michael Tonkin was expected to be a big part of the Twins’ middle relief core entering spring training. That was until the 35-year-old veteran started experiencing shoulder soreness during spring training, pain that he’s struggled to shake for months now.

Back in early April, Tonkin started his first comeback attempt of the year. He then began a rehab assignment on April 18 that ended in St. Paul about one month later (May 16), not in an activation, but with a 60-day injured list designation, not with his original rotator cuff issue, but with bicep tendonitis.

Minnesota Twins Michael Tonkin begins another rehab assignment

On Saturday though, after nearly another month of recovery, Michael Tonkin started up his second rehab assignment of the season. He faced 5 batters for the St. Paul Saints, allowing just one hit and 0 runs (1 K, 1 BB) on 16 pitches.

Tonkin was not sharp during his initial rehab assignment. Across six appearances he pitches 9 2/3 innings but allowed nine runs (eight earned). He did have a nice 13/4 K/BB but was way too hittable, giving up 15 total hits in those 13 innings pitched.

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Last season Michael Tonkin pitched for three different teams, twice with the Twins. Tonkin owned a 3.63 ERA (3.44 FIP) across 79 1/3 innings. Tonkin isn’t the only reliever trying to make a rehab comeback off the injured list this weekend, though.

Danny Coulombe also closing in on return to Twins bullpen

The Minnesota Twins bullpen has been without lefty Danny Coulombe since mid-May, who started his own rehab assignment on Friday, for the St. Paul Saints, throwing one perfect inning in relief.

In 19 appearances this season, Coulombe has has yet to give up a run, in 16 2/3 innings. He has a 19/2 K/BB and has been one of baseball’s best lefties for some time now. More than likely, Coulombe beats Tonkin back to the big leagues.

A return for Danny Coulombe, following the Twins’ off-day on Monday, would make sense. Meanwhile, Tonkin’s activation could depend on, not just how he holds up down in St. Paul, but also how effective he is on the bump.

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