The Minnesota Twins activated right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack on Sunday, adding a veteran presence to the bullpen for the final week of the regular season and possibly the playoffs.
Paddack hasn’t pitched in an MLB game in 15 months, having spent the past year-plus recovering from his second career Tommy John surgery. But in his rehab appearances at Class A, AA and AAA he struck out 15 batters in 9.2 innings. If that translates to the big leagues, the Twins have another powerful arm for the playoffs.
So what will the Twins’ playoff pitching staff look like? Let’s say the Twins’ 26-man playoff roster features 13 position players and 13 pitchers. There are currently 11 pitchers who feel like locks for the postseason roster.
- SP: Pablo Lopez, RHP
- SP: Sonny Gray, RHP
- SP: Joe Ryan, RHP
- SP: Kenta Maeda, RHP
- RP: Jhoan Duran, RHP
- RP: Emilio Pagan, RHP
- RP: Griffin Jax, RHP
- RP: Caleb Thielbar, LHP
- RP: Chris Paddack, RHP
- RP: Louie Varland, RHP
- RP: Kody Funderburk, LHP
If there are two remaining spots available, the Twins have big decisions to make. Dallas Keuchel and Bailey Ober could start in a pinch or serve as relievers. Brock Stewart was sent on a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Sept. 15 and he could join the bullpen for the playoffs. Jorge Alcala is also on a rehab stint at Triple-A St. Paul and he’s been lights out so far.
Impressive night for #MNTwins Jorge Alcala in his second Major League rehab appearance. He goes 2.0 perfect innings and strikes out four. Fastball averages 97.8 mph and tops out at 98.6 mph. Throws 21 pitches, 18 for strikes pic.twitter.com/j0XUQJbBkq
— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) September 23, 2023
The Twins might not know who they’re facing in the best-of-three wild card series until the regular season ends in a week. It’ll likely be the Mariners, Blue Jays, Astros or Rangers, who are all within two games of each other.
There’s also a very outside chance the Twins get the No. 2 seed and a bye into the second round, but that would require catching the Rangers who are 4.5 game in front of the Twins entering play Sunday.
