General Manager Terry Ryan and the Twins organization have made a collective decision to end Kyle Gibson’s season.
The rookie right-hander split time between Class AAA Rochester and the big club this season, pitching 152 2/3 innings combined. He is just two years removed from Tommy John surgery and while no innings limit was officially established for the Twins prospect, it was believed to be between 150 and 160.
The Twins may not have been forced to shut down Gibson had the Rochester Red Wings not made the playoffs on the Independent League’s final day of play, winning their regular season finale and getting the help they needed, as Norfolk lost to Durham in extra innings.
That being said, Ryan would have likely been prompted to answer questions on whether Gibson would be called up to the pros in September had Rochester missed out on the postseason, as he is having to with opening day center fielder Aaron Hicks.
Hicks was largely unimpressive in his stint with manager Ron Gardenhire’s club, hitting just .192 while starting the season a disastrous 2-48 at the plate.
Despite a recent hot streak (7-15 in his last four at Rochester), his .232 batting average with the Red Wings has not turned enough heads to warrant a return to the bigs. Compounding his struggles? Wrist and quadriceps injuries since his August 1 demotion.
With a strong weekend from newly acquired outfielder Alex Presley, and the simple fact that the Twins clearly have high hopes for the 28-year old considering they gave up a former MVP for his talents, Hicks is likely to be pushed hard in spring training (likely the next time we’ll see him) for the center field job which was his just five months ago.
One man you will see after the Red Wings season ends and players are called up to join Minnesota for the stretch run is Chris Parmelee.
The 25-year old first baseman hit just .223 with the Twins, and is hitting just .226 with Rochester since his return, but is the most logical choice to step in and replace the departed Justin Morneau.
Gardy minced no words when discussing Parmelee: “We got to have some first basemen.”
Happy trails Kyle, see you soon Chris, and for you Aaron, it’s not goodbye, just see you later.
