The Twins got some positive news regarding three-time All Star closer Glen Perkins.
He pitched a scoreless 1-2-3 inning on eight pitches in the Gulf Coast League on Saturday. Perkins struck out two batters, and reached 90 mph on the radar gun.
The Twins skipper Paul Molitor was pleased about Perkins albeit brief, but encouraging outing.
“He had a couple punch-outs, he threw a couple sliders, he touched 90, which are all good things,” Molitor said. “And the best part is he felt good. His next step will be to go to the Miracle and try to continue his way back to the big leagues.”
Eight pitches might not sound like a lot, but this outing was his first time pitching in a live ball game since April 10, 2016.
He underwent shoulder labrum surgery shortly after his last outing last year, and has slowly been working his way back into pitching shape.
It sounds like Perkins’ rehab journey will take him to Fort Meyers next, as he tries to make a come back to rejoin his Twins teammates.
It would be extremely unlikely Perkins would usurp Brandon Kintzler as the Twins closer if he does make his way up to the majors. But he could sure bolster the Twins bullpen in a positive way, if he has any gas left in the same tank that made him a dominant closer for many years.
