Fans hoping to see the Twins give prized pitching prospect Jose Berrios a spot in the regular season starting rotation will have to keep on waiting.
The Twins announced Friday (via Dustin Morse) that Berrios was included in the latest round of spring training cuts. He’ll head to a minor-league camp and then likely begin the season at Triple-A Rochester, the Star Tribune reports.
The @Twins have made roster moves this morning. 43 players left in camp. pic.twitter.com/PyNCep1GRu
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) March 18, 2016
Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony doesn’t think Berrios is far from being ready to pitch in the big leagues, according to Twinkie Town:
“He’s getting closer,” Antony said of Berrios. “He had a little bit of a tough outing the other day on the minor league side, he just didn’t have very good command of his fastball. But he’s shown indications that he’s getting closer and closer. I’m not sure he’s quite ready, but I also don’t think it’s a reach to say that there’s a good chance he’ll pitch for us in the big leagues this year at some point.”
With Berrios out of the mix the Twins’ battle for the fifth and final spot in the starting rotation is down to Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone. Based on numbers alone, Milone is putting together a much better case to win the job.
- Milone: 2.00 ERA through 9 innings
- Nolasco: 7.36 ERA through 7 1/3 innings
Good morning people, don't give up 😁 #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/zMubaHZqm5
— Jose O. Berrios (@JOLaMaKina) March 18, 2016
Meyer, Vargas headed to Triple-A
Alex Meyer, the prized prospect whose stock has fallen over the past couple of years, was also cut from camp and sent to Triple-A Rochester. Meyer told Berardino that it’s undecided if he’ll be a starting pitcher or reliever for the Red Wings.
First baseman/designated hitter Kennys Vargas will also start the season at Triple-A.
3 more cuts: Joe Benson, Nick Burdi and Aaron Thompson. That completes today's list – 9 cuts.
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 18, 2016
