RECAP: Mike Pelfrey turns in 4.2 solid innings as #MNTwins fall to Phillies. http://t.co/Z7GQpWnc3s #TwinsST pic.twitter.com/t98TUojjAZ
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 23, 2015
Pitcher Mike Pelfrey put together a good, but not great outing for the Twins in their 3-0 loss to Philadelphia on Monday.
Pelfrey, who is competing to be the fifth starter in the Twins rotation, gave up a two-run homer in the second inning to Philadelphia third baseman Cody Asche. It was the only blemish on what for the most part has been a solid day and spring for Pelfrey.
In 13 2/3 innings for the Twins this spring, the right-hander has posted a 1.32 ERA, but will that be good enough for him to hold on to the No. 5 spot in the Twins pitching rotation?
“I think there were a lot of positives out of today, but there were also a lot of negatives,” Pelfrey told reporters afterward. “I think command was an issue today without a lot of first-pitch strikes. I’ve made four starts, and I think first-pitch strikes were only good in one of them, so it’s something I need to get better at. But I feel like my arm strength is better.”
Both lefty Tommy Milone and young righty Trevor May have had solid springs as well and, according to the Pioneer Press’ Mike Berardino they are the frontrunners for the job.
That could leave Pelfrey in an unfamiliar role – coming out of the bullpen.
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With Pelfrey’s limited bullpen experience and his strong spring numbers, the Twins might be trying to generate a trade market for Pelfrey.
Off The Baggy notes that both the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays have had significant injuries to their pitching staffs already.
Twins shut out by Phillies, 3-0. When (and in what role) will Mike Pelfrey pitch again? "We haven't discussed that yet," Paul Molitor said.
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 23, 2015
