Meat Raffle heads to the Chicago Cubs

Over the course of an eight year major league career, spanning more than a decade in real-time, Caleb Thielbar has only known the Minnesota Twins. The Northfield, MN native resurrected his career in 2020 and has been a mainstay in Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen since. Not anymore.

Cubs announce they’ve agreed to terms with LHP Caleb Thielbar on a one-year major-league contract.

— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) December 31, 2024

Thielbar got his break with the Twins after pitching for the St. Paul Saints (as an independent team). He made his major league debut in 2013 as a 26-year old. Thielbar owned a 2.74 ERA across 98 2/3 innings as a reliever. He bounced around a bit and took another shot with the Saints in 2016.

Caleb Thielbar, Wicked Curveballs. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/0YH8MrXMfh

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 7, 2024

While he considered hanging up his cleats, Thielbar joined the Augustana (South Dakota) baseball coaching staff as a pitching coach. Then the Twins came calling in 2020 and he took his stuff to new heights.

Over the last four seasons Thielbar has thrown 221 1/3 innings and owned a 3.66 ERA. His 10.9 K/9 is notable for a lefty that has averaged just over 93 mph on his fastball. The spin rates are what have carried him, and he worked his way into a leverage role for Minnesota. His curveball is among the best pitches in baseball.

Another hometown kid getting it done for the hometown team!

Caleb Thielbar spoke about what it meant for him to break the streak and advance to the ALDS. #WeBelieveinTC | @Audra_Martin pic.twitter.com/5yxsm5bdZT

— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) October 5, 2023

Related: Minnesota Twins Predicted to Land Bargain Bin Reliever

It is a bit surprising that Thielbar found a guaranteed major league deal at 38 years old coming off a tough season. His 5.32 ERA was substantially higher than the 4.10 FIP, but he walked nearly five batters per nine innings (4.6), and had developed a home run problem the past two years.

Related: Minnesota Twins Farm System Among MLB’s Most Improved

For Chicago, Thielbar presents another left-handed relief option. While Craig Counsell has a few in his rotation, Luke Little and Jordan Wicks are the lone southpaws on the 40-man roster. Minnesota hosts the Cubs for a three-game series starting on July 8, 2025.

Caleb Thielbar to start rehab assignment before returning to Minnesota Twins

There is some good news. The bullpen is about to get some serious upgrades. Caleb Thielbar (hamstring strain) and Jhoan Duran (oblique strain), who both started the season on the injured list, are surging toward their prospective returns to the Twins bullpen.

Thielbar felt good after a bullpen session where he faced multiple big league hitters. Caleb’s next step is a rehab assignment in St. Paul, which is expected this week.

“He looked great,” Baldelli said. “Exactly what we were hoping for.”

Thielbar will likely join Triple-A St. Paul at some point next week, and figures to make multiple appearances for the Saints before potentially returning to the Twins’ bullpen.

Aaron Gleeman – The Athletic

Jhoan Duran healing too

Duran’s recovery is also on an upward trajectory. He was able to throw from 105 feet without pain this week, but still needs to get on the mound and throw some sort of live session, like Thielbar did, before the Twins will even begin to ponder how they’ll reinsert him back into the bullpen.

In non-strike zone-related news, Jhoan Duran said before the game that he's been pretty bored while healing his oblique injury.

"I do lifting here, a lot of recovery, and a lot of sauna. That's all I can do."

Big sauna guy?

"Yeah. I love the sauna, yeah."

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 6, 2024

Getting Caleb Thielbar and Jhoan Duran back into the mix certainly won’t hurt the Minnesota Twins’ chances of winning games. But the bullpen has been far from their biggest problem, through the first seven games of the season.

Related: Twins Worth $70M More in Latest Valuation; Made $20M in 2023 Operating Revenue

Twins relievers hold a 0.98 ERA and a 0.868 WHIP, entering Sunday’s game vs Cleveland. In only 4.2 less innings, Minnesota’s bullpen has allowed 26 less hits, 18 less runs (and earned runs) and four less home runs than Twins’ starters.

Given how much the offense has struggled, I’d say the bullpen is currently the least of Rocco Baldelli’s problems. Nonetheless, it’s always a good thing when two of your best relievers take steps toward a return to the staff.

Royce Lewis injury update not as positive

Speaking of the offense, let’s talk about the bat that the Minnesota Twins are so desperately missing from their lineup. Unlike the positive updates we got on the bullpen, the most recent information received on Royce Lewis was not as positive.

Related: Twins Pitching Prospect Helps Rescue Florida Man from House Fire

According to multiple reports that have come out over the last 24 hours, Lewis is likely to miss at least two months with this grade two quad strain. Lewis told media members that he got a PRP injection and that he’s about one week into a one-month shutdown. I thought Aaron Gleeman (The Athletic) had the most detailed explanation on Friday’s episode of ‘Gleeman and the Geek’.

“The general idea is he’ll be shut down completely for a month, at which point, they will reassess, ‘how are you, physically’? Are you able to then start rehabbing or start the true process [to return]. The problem with a leg injury is that there’s just not much you can do that doesn’t risk making it worse.

So the one-month game plan, I think, is to let [his quadricep] heal up a little bit and calm down enough that they can then figure out, ‘okay, is it going to be another six weeks, another two months…’?

The expectation seems to be, this is from the Twins, not from Royce [Lewis], a two-month goal. Not that he’s going to be back in the lineup exactly two months from the injury, but a positive outcome would be, at the two-month point, which would be late-May, I guess… he’s perhaps on a rehab assignment, or close enough that they can say ‘he’s 10 days away, or something like that.”

Aaron Gleeman – Gleeman and the Geek Podcast

That has changed dramatically, in recent days, however. In the last 48 hours, we’ve seen two of the bullpen’s best and most reliable arms placed on the injured list. Both Jhoan Duran (15-day designation – right oblique strain) or Caleb Thielbar (left hamstring soreness) will start the Twins’ regular season on IR.

Minnesota Twins pitchers dealing with injury bug

Meanwhile, newly acquired Anthony DeSclafani (Polanco trade) is likely done for the season, according to president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey (via Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune). Unless the front office goes out and acquires another starter between now and Opening Day, it’ll be Louie Varland who earns that 5th starting spot, in place of DeSclafani. Varland has been absolutely dominant this spring.

Anthony DeSclafani was shut down because of elbow soreness after pitching in a minor league game Saturday and he will visit Dr. Keith Meister to evaluate his next steps, which could include elbow surgery, Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said Monday.

Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune

Byron Buxton scratched with lower back tightness

But it isn’t just the pitching staff dealing with injuries at Minnesota Twins spring training, which is set to wrap up this weekend. Byron Buxton was scratched from Monday’s lineup with lower back tightness. It may not be his knee, but any injury associated with Buxton is going to raise eyebrows, especially something as sensitive as lower back pain.

Related: Confirmed: Twins’ Top Prospect Walker Jenkins is Gonna be a Superstar

Fortunately, manager Rocco Baldelli did have a more positive update on the Byron front Monday afternoon. While he may have been scratched from the lineup, it appears the move was more cautionary than worrisome, because Buck could be seen in the clubhouse during the game taking swings in the batting cages.

[Byron] hit during the game. He wanted to go in the cage during the game and take some swings. If he was in pain, believe me, he’s not going in there and doing that. That was a somewhat positive thing.”

Rocco Baldelli on Byron Buxton’s back pain (via the Star Tribune)

As Rocco notes, it’s highly unlikely Buxton could take swings in the batting cages if his back was that debilitating. As someone who has struggled with lower back pain throughout his life (more core workouts would help), I can attest to how true that is. When lower back pain gets severe, moving any muscle in your body can be a problem.

Related: Unhittable Louie Varland May Force His Way into Twins’ Rotation

Buxton has had an incredible Spring Training, in the games he has played (9 games | 24 at-bats), batting .333 with a 1.074 OPS, 1 HR, (2) 3B, 4 RBI and just 3 Ks. He’s even made a diving catch in center field, which came a few days ago.

We sure have missed you, @OfficialBuck103! pic.twitter.com/QhkGVmFjlC

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 16, 2024

Of course, it doesn’t take much for mild lower back pain to turn into something much more severe, so this is obviously a situation we will be monitoring during the Twins’ final Spring Training off-day on Tuesday, before they get back on the exhibition field Wednesday.

Bullpen Youth Movement

There are still plenty of questions surrounding the reliever staff, however, especially the veteran core… or lack thereof. See, last season, the Twins’ bullpen was hijacked by youngsters like Jhoan Duran and Griffen Jax, who went on to prove themselves far more reliable than any of the more experienced pitchers who were available to Rocco Baldelli.

jhoan duran turns 25 today.

he’s able to rent a car and throw nasty stuff. pic.twitter.com/A7wG7BjwtZ

— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) January 8, 2023

In 2023, a veteran presence in the bullpen is nearly non-existent. In fact, there are only three relief pitchers over the age of 30 who would be considered “locks” to make the final 26-man Opening Day roster (8 likely relievers).

No other projected 26-man reliever has reached the age of 30, or collected even two healthy years of service time in the big leagues. And the three veteran “locks” — Jorge Lopez (30), Emilio Pagan (32) and Caleb Thielbar (36) — have plenty of questions surrounding their effectiveness, going forward.

All Eyes on Jorge Lopez

Jorge Lopez is a starter-turned-reliever who has thrived in his new bullpen role. When I say “new”, I mean that Lopez has only pitched 148 innings out of the bullpen during his 7-year MLB career. He’s been good in those limited appearances, however.

In 273 innings as a starter from 2015-2021, Lopez was horrible. But after being transitioned to reliever by the Baltimore Orioles toward the end of 2021 (8 IP), he showed immediate improvement. Lopez took on a bullpen role for the Orioles full time in 2022 and made the All-Star game.

Mahtomedi native and Orioles pitcher Mike Baumann (currently at AAA) on new #MNTwins reliever Jorge Lopez: “Love that guy. Can’t say enough nice things. I really look up to Lopey. Unbelievable teammate, dawg on mound. Truly a leader on and off the field.”pic.twitter.com/PlYgWS1ApO

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 2, 2022

Then, the Twins traded for Lopez at last year’s midseason deadline. And of course, he immediately hopped aboard the struggle bus, upon arrival. In 22.2 IP as a Twin, Jorge’s ERA ballooned to 4.37, his FIP to 4.35, WHIP to 1.632 and his ERA+ fell below 100 (average), all the way down to 90.

If Lopez gets back to the All-Star caliber reliever Falvine thought they traded for, it could make the difference between Minnesota’s bullpen being good vs elite. If not, it’ll go down as one of the worst trades in Twins’ deadline history. And that’s saying something.

Caleb Thielbar & Emilio Pagan

Caleb Thielbar has become a trustworthy lefty that Rocco Baldelli can lean on. But… he’s 36-years-old and some of his numbers, like ERA, WAR and ERA+, have been slipping the last couple seasons. On the contrary, his strikeouts are up and his home runs, FIP and WHIP were all down.

After posting a 4.61 ERA, 85 ERA+ and 4.71 FIP in 148.1 innings over the last three season, nobody really knows why Emilio Pagan is still on an MLB roster. Twins fans just wish it didn’t have to be theirs…

Yet, here we are. Hopefully, Pagan’s leash is extremely short. Or, even better, the front office finds a way to trade Pagan (apparently there’s interest) for something worthwhile (maybe a bucket of balls) before baseball games start to count in late-March.

Emilio Pagan throws the ball down the middle of the plate and former twin Isiah Kiner-Falefa makes it a 5-2 Yankees lead, can’t make it up #mntwins, only his 2nd home run of the season pic.twitter.com/BB9RrF9U73

— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) September 5, 2022

Other Veterans Relievers in Fort Myers

The only other reliever over 30 years old who has any real chance to make the roster out of Spring Training is LHP, Danny Coulombe (33). The last two over-the-hill bullpen pitchers with invites to Fort Myers are Jose De Leon (30) and Brock Stewart (31).

In other words, there are a lot of questions that surrounding a finite number of Minnesota Twins veteran relievers. If all goes as planned, just one pitcher over the age of 30 (Jorge Lopez) will be counted on to throw high- leverage innings this summer.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Then, today’s lineup (@ Detroit – 5:10PM) was released and Byron Buxton wasn’t in it. Yes, Buck played 5 innings during the All-Star game on Tuesday (1-2 w/HR), but he’s also had four (Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri) of the last five days off. Not only that, but the Twins have Monday off too.

Break’s over. Back to work! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/qkUYjGTjVV

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 23, 2022

What is happening?

This decision is completely dumbfounding, unless there’s something we haven’t been told yet. Out of all the days to give a day off, today seemed like the most unlikely.

There is no logical explanation for why Byron Buxton would not be in today’s starting lineup and Twins media won’t even acknowledge that it’s happened. Meaning, they’re trying to find out. Had Minnesota returned to play on Thursday, maybe even Friday like most teams, this lineup would raise eyebrows, but not cause controversy.

Buxton’s absence in tonight’s lineup, however, is such a wild pitch that I’m left to wonder if something else is wrong. Did he wake up this morning not feeling well or to unexpected knee inflammation? Did he get hurt during the All-Star game? Those explanations would make more sense than a rest day.

Baldelli speaks with beat reporters before each game so we should get an explanation sooner, rather than later. But I just cannot imagine a situation where he calls this “a scheduled rest day” and keeps a straight face. But maybe (hopefully?) I’m wrong…

Update (2:50 PM):

As theorised, there was more to Byron Buxton’s absence. Following his All-Star game appearance last week, Buxton got a platelet rich injection (PRP) in his knee. He’ll be out for the 2-game Brewers series.

Byron Buxton got a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his right knee the day after the All-Star Game. He will be down for these Detroit games and hopefully available again in Milwaukee. It’s expected to help healing. #MNTwins

— Megan Ryan (@theothermegryan) July 23, 2022

Little things matter and the Twins organization, as it should, chooses to focus on a lot of details surrounding the professional baseball operation. So why would news on Buxton’s procedure come out now and not days ago?

With sports gambling becoming more prevalent in this country, every month that goes by, the MLB should not allow this sort of thing to happen. Fans attend games wanting to see their favorite players and gamblers make bets with the assumption that certain players will impact the game. It’s just unnecessary.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan