Tyler Clippard to Serve as “Opener” Sunday for Twins

The Minnesota Twins shuffled their rotation after defeating the Cleveland Indians 3-0 on Saturday night. They announced that RP Tyler Clippard will serve as an opener for the series finale on Sunday.

Tyler Clippard will open Sunday’s game for the #MNTwins. Homer Bailey will start Monday instead.

— danhayesmlb (@DanHayesMLB) August 2, 2020

This is a method that was first used by the Tampa Rays during the 2018 season. Twins RP Sergio Romo was the first player to serve as an opener for the Rays that year. We could see him as the second pitcher used. Clippard will pitch 1 or 2 innings and then the rest of the bullpen will take over.

Rocco Baldelli emphasized that using the opener on Sunday is about giving Homer Bailey a little more recovery time after the quick ramp up. Same reason he pulled Kenta Maeda after the 6th, offense was on field for long inning. #MNTwins trying to take care of their pitchers. pic.twitter.com/zN3I83jk1F

— danhayesmlb (@DanHayesMLB) August 2, 2020

The originally scheduled starter Homer Bailey will be pushed back until Monday. The Twins then start a 4 game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

One reason for this could to be give Twins SP Jake Odorizzi an extra day to get ready, as he is recovering from soreness in his upper back. Odorizzi is scheduled to have a bullpen session on Monday as he looks to return to the rotation in the near future.

Usually I would be nervous for a game in which we use the opener method, but the way that this bullpen is pitching I have no worries at all.

Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan