The Minnesota Twins have optioned outfielder Eddie Rosario back to Triple-A Rochester following Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to Detroit.
The Pioneer Press reports that a person with direct knowledge said Rosario was shipped to Rochester after hitting .209 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 32 games.
OF Eddie Rosario has been optioned to AAA @RocRedWings, per source w/direct knowledge.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) May 18, 2016
Twinkie Town notes that Rosario’s main problem is a lack of discipline at the plate. The issue bothered him last year, too (15 BB, 118 SO). The main difference this year is that the hits weren’t coming.
In addition to his struggles at the plate, Rosario also made a couple of crucial mistakes on the field and on the bases in Wednesday’s loss, angering Twins manager Paul Molitor who removed Rosario from the game for a defensive replacement in the seventh inning.
He missed a cutoff man in the first inning, made a bad throw to second in the second inning and didn’t communicate with shortstop Eduardo Nunez in the fifth inning.
It’s a lot different that the 24-year-old outfielder’s rookie season. He dazzled last year, hitting .267 with a .459 slugging percentage and a league-leading 15 triples. He also led the Twins with 16 outfield assists, garnering the team’s defensive player of the year award.
The highlight of his career to this point may have been his first Major League at bat, when he hit a home run off Scott Kazmir on his first pitch.
According to Berardino, former Astros outfielder Robbie Grossman will be promoted from Triple-A to replace Rosario.
Grossman, 26, was signed this week . He went 1 for 4 with a stolen base for Rochester Tuesday. He is a corner outfielder with above-average speed and an average throwing arm.
