Phil Hughes News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/phil-hughes/ Minnesota sports, but different Tue, 22 May 2018 13:00:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Phil Hughes News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/phil-hughes/ 32 32 Phil Hughes Designated for Assignment; Twins Likely to Write Him $22M Exit Check https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-designated-for-assignment-twins-likely-to-write-him-22m-exit-check/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-designated-for-assignment-twins-likely-to-write-him-22m-exit-check/#respond Tue, 22 May 2018 12:58:43 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9809

Unlike most businesses, the Minnesota Twins had themselves a productive Monday.

The professional baseball organization kicked off the work week by (literally) welcoming the Detroit Tigers to Target Field. Apparently, some Land of 10K Lakes-residents are familiar with the division rival’s new manager:

Sidebar: Small world, am I right?

Once the nostalgic chitchat eventually ceased, the two teams took to the diamond.

After trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, a two-out/two-run Max Kepler double tied it up at deuces. That’s where the score would remain until the bottom of the eighth, when Logan Morrison watched ball 4 to earn a rare RBI walk that gave the Twins the lead. One batter later, some slick Eddie Rosario baserunning provided the always-appreciated insurance run.

Speaking of appreciated, a light needs to be shined on Rosario’s walk-off catch:

In the aftermath of another José Berríos’ gem (8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER), Minnesota kept their Monday grind going by announcing a roster move. The noteworthy transaction immediately diverted attention away from the team’s 4-2 victory.

The designation for assignment means that Minnesota has a week’s time to either trade or send Phil Hughes through waivers. Due to the aggressive amount of money ($22.57M through 2019) remaining on the RHP’s contract, he will most certainly be hitting the wire. Once the other 29 teams pass on that raw deal, the 31 year-old will officially be released.

After spending his first seven MLB seasons with the Yankees Evil Empire, Hughes agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the Twins, during the 2013-14 offseason. Upon completion of an impressive 16-10 (3.52 ERA, 209.2 IP) 2014 campaign, Minnesota restructured and extended the starting pitcher’s contract.

Unfortunately, since then, the California native has been unable to return to that 7th place Cy Young voting form.

When you look at how much he got bit by the damn injury bug, that would seem to make sense:

To address all the money remaining on Hughes’ deal, the Pohlad owned franchise is going to end up footing that ($22.57 million) bill. While that’s a tough proverbial pill to swallow, the right-handed hurler’s plethora of bad breaks make it equally difficult to hold anything against him.

Paul Molitor summed up the situation as follows:

Due to the imminent returns of Ervin Santana and Trevor May, the writing relating to this move was on covered the wall. In regards to Hughes’ immediate roster replacement, that information is expected to be announced on Tuesday.

In closing, once the veteran pitcher is officially released, he’ll be considered a free agent. As you can see, there’s a decent chance he remains in the AL Central:

Sidebar: Small world, am I right?

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-designated-for-assignment-twins-likely-to-write-him-22m-exit-check/feed/ 0 Tue, 22 May 2018 08:00:13 +0000 Minnesota Twins Despite Injury Purge, is the Twins Season Looking Up? https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/despite-injury-purge-is-the-twins-season-looking-up/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/despite-injury-purge-is-the-twins-season-looking-up/#respond Sun, 06 May 2018 12:57:26 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9518

When it comes to appearing extremely intoxicated, the last couple weeks of the Twins’ season deserve a gold silver medal.

With that attempt to lighten the mood complete (things might get a little dark here), let’s talk baseball:

After starting off the season 8-5, the Twins played the next 13 games to the tune of a 2-11 record.

As disturbing as that graphic is, Saturday’s victory actually marked the team’s second win in a row and third of their last four. They’ll enter Sunday just a half game back of Ron Gardenhire’s Detroit Tigers for second place in the AL Central. While that accomplishment is certainly nothing to write home about, beggars Minnesotans can’t be choosers.

So, hopefully Minnesota’s very recent on-the-field play, unlike Miguel Sano’s weight goals, are moving back in the right direction. Unfortunately, that’s not the case away from the big league diamond:

Jason Castro’s 10-day DL designation means Mitch Garver will take on the majority of reps at Joe Mauer’s old position. Who’s for the new catcher on the Twins’ roster? Bobby Wilson was acquired via a FA minor-league deal in November of 2017.

Over the course of eight different MLB seasons (324 games), the 35 year-old has a career batting average of .214 (.268 OBP). With all due respect to Wilson, barring some sort of out-of-body experience, I hope he reaches the 330 career contest plateau as part of a different organization.

Unless you’re hosing runners down at second like Yadier Molina, Bobby Boy’s one home run every 47 at-bats coupled with his barely-above .200 batting average isn’t going to cut it:

via GIPHY

Sidebar: Indications are that Castro’s slow start at the plate is attributed to this meniscus issue.

Speaking of not going to cut it, Minnesota’s current team ERA of 5.02 ranks 26th in the majors. For comparison purposes, Ervin Santana’s 2017 ERA closed at an impressive 3.28.

Although the 2x All-Star’s transfer to the 60-Day Disabled List may appear daunting, the headline’s bark significantly outperforms its bite.

The two month hiatus is retroactive to the beginning of the season. Due to that extremely important wrinkle, Santana will be permitted to return from this lingering finger issue on May 28th.

Despite the May eligibility date, according to Paul Molitor, the 35 year-old pitcher’s need for live batting practice sessions prior to his (brief) Minor League assignment, “leaves the first week of June as a more likely landing spot for Santana’s return.”

While that would equate to (basically) another month’s time without the reliable right-hander, a certain call-up last week may ease our pain slightly.

The way I see it, despite all of the Twins’ recent pain (literally and figuratively), things easily could have been much more excruciating. First of all, Cleveland’s recent struggles leave them sitting only one game above .500. In addition to that, it’s not like Minnesota still has one of their starting pitching eggs in Phil Hughes’ basket.

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/despite-injury-purge-is-the-twins-season-looking-up/feed/ 0 Sun, 06 May 2018 07:57:26 +0000 Minnesota Twins Twins’ Top Pitching Prospect Fernando Romero Called Up; Phil Hughes to Bullpen https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-top-pitching-prospect-fernando-romero-called-up-phil-hughes-to-bullpen/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-top-pitching-prospect-fernando-romero-called-up-phil-hughes-to-bullpen/#respond Tue, 01 May 2018 12:07:37 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9451

Despite my soft spot for Fernando Rodney, if the near future sees him drop another save or two, it’ll be time for the 41 year-old to be given a different bullpen role.

While this piece is based on a Twins’ pitcher named “Fernando,” whose last initial is also “R,” it surprisingly doesn’t surround the veteran reliever. Meaning, Mr. Rodney’s leash as Minnesota’s closer (albeit assumedly short) still exists.

As a result, the sure to be fisticuffs between my brain and heart won’t be occurring today. Phew, that was close.

via GIPHY

Thankfully, this particular table is reserved for a different “Fernando.”

In case you missed the reports, Fernando Romero is slated to make his MLB debut on Wednesday.

The 6’0″ 215 lbs right-hander will be taking over the bullpen-bound Phil Hughes’ spot in the rotation. As implied by this March 4th, 2018 headline from the Pioneer Press, the 23 year-old has an aggressive amount of potential:

When it comes to Minnesota’s up-and-coming talent, outside of SS Royce Lewis, Romero takes a back seat to no one.

The Dominican Republic native, has sat out almost all of the last two years (injury and eventual Tommy John). The anticipation surrounding the young flame thrower actually took off in 2016. His sub 2.00 ERA over sixteen Single-A starts (5 Cedar Rapids, 11 Fort Myers) during that season “shocked observers.”

It’s probably fair to say he shocked some hitters, as well:

Since then, despite ending last year on the DL, he hasn’t skipped a beat. The power throwing pitcher finished his 125-inning 2017 campaign with a 3.53 ERA, 120 strikeouts, and 45 walks (Double-A Chattanooga).

As for this year, Romero has “fared well in his first taste of Triple-A, posting a 2.57 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 10 walks in 21 innings.

Please do not share that information with the Toronto Blue Jays or any of their affiliates. Thank you.

You can share this tidbit with them, though: Fernando Romero “has the mound swagger that all the great ones seem to possess.”

To close, let’s hope this shake-up is exactly what the doctor (and fans) ordered. Either way, having Hughes in the rotation was putting way too much stress on the already stressed out relievers.

However it all plays out, Ervin Santana should be back before we know it. On top of that, Lance Lynn should be almost finished with his version of Spring Training:

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-top-pitching-prospect-fernando-romero-called-up-phil-hughes-to-bullpen/feed/ 0 Tue, 01 May 2018 07:15:37 +0000 Minnesota Twins Phil Hughes is Back in the Starting Rotation… Temporarily We Hope https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-is-back-in-the-starting-rotation-temporarily-we-hope/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-is-back-in-the-starting-rotation-temporarily-we-hope/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:53:32 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9322

As Minnesota gets set for this weekend’s three-game series  vs the Tampa Bay Rays, the A.L. Central leading ballclub should be plenty rested. Between a bullshit April blizzard, and off days surrounding the Puerto Rico trip, the Twins have played two games (25 innings, though) over the past week.

With their next trio of contests taking place away from Target Field, there’s no need to sweat the forecast. The Rays play their home games at Tropicana Field.

Sidebar: My sources say there’s no chance there of a dome collapse due to snow.

After Lance Lynn takes the mound on Friday, barring any unforeseen events, Kyle Gibson will do the same on Saturday. While Lynn and Gibson have already combined for five starts, Sunday’s pitcher will be making his MLB season debut:

Per LaVelle E. Neal III, the 31 year-old, Phil Hughes, will be activated from the disabled list in time to start Sunday against Tampa Bay. The move comes in anticipation of next week’s four game series vs. the Evil Empire:

Hughes’ appearance will mark the end of Paul Molitor’s previously employed four-man rotation.

Minnesota’s next (scheduled) off day isn’t until May 17th. With their best pitcher from 2017, Ervin Santana, expected to return around that time, how long Hughes stays among the reigning A.L. Manager of the Year’s Top 5 starters will remain to be seen.

The 2004 first round draft pick is coming off of a 2017 season that was a doppelgänger of his 2016 campaign.

According to our friends at the Mayo Clinic, “Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib are compressed.” While that breakdown makes the condition sound worse, Hughes has expressed that he FEELS better.

Good to hear. Let’s hope that his feeling-better equates to pitching better. Despite starting his Twins’ tenure strong, his last two (shortened) seasons have been brutal.

Phil Hughes’ Twins Career:

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-is-back-in-the-starting-rotation-temporarily-we-hope/feed/ 0 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 08:53:32 +0000 Minnesota Twins