Coming into play on Tuesday night, the Minnesota Twins were just one game out of the American League Wild Card race and with the rosters expanding in September, some Twins fans had hoped they would see the Major League debut of highly-touted prospect Jose Berrios.
But at least for now, those plans have been put on hold by the club.
The Twins didn’t call up Berrios Tuesday when they announced their first wave of September call ups, choosing to go with shortstop Danny Santana, first baseman Kennys Vargas, catcher Eric Fryer and relievers Michael Tonkin and A.J. Achter.
Jose Berrios was 5-2 with a 2.67 ERA, 78 K and 13 BB in 70.2 IP with Triple-A Rochester, but didn't get called up today… #MNTwins
— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) September 1, 2015
Terry Ryan said it's not a done deal that Berrios won't be called up. But after that media session, I'd be shocked if they promote him.
— Derek Wetmore (@DerekWetmore) September 1, 2015
Terry didn't give a specific reason during a 20-minute media session. Seemed to me like he dodged an awful lot of questions. @mzenn3
— Derek Wetmore (@DerekWetmore) September 2, 2015
Throughout the season, the Twins have called up many of their top prospects. Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano all have made their way into the Twins lineup and have made impacts on the late season charge into playoff contention.
But despite a pitching rotation that has struggled lately, Berrios remains in the minors. Twins manager Paul Molitor remained open to Berrios joining the team at some point in September though.
Molitor on Berrios: "I don’t think we have finalized everything we’re going to do here. His name is definitely still being talked about."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) September 1, 2015
The Twins may be playing it cautious with Berrios. He has already thrown more innings this season than he did in all of last year and a September call-up would only increase that number.
Jose Berrios not among initial wave of September callups. He's thrown 161 1/3 innings and Twins trying to keep him roughly under 180 IP
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) September 1, 2015
According to the Pioneer Press, one option that may exist for Berrios could be to come to Minnesota and help out of the bullpen.
“If you’re going to ask him to come here potentially and pitch out of the bullpen, it’s not something he’s ever really done,” Molitor told the newspaper. “You can’t assume that’s just going to be a smooth transition, that’s going to be a slam dunk for him to come in here and help us.”
While Berrios doesn’t have a lot of experience working out of the bullpen with the Twins, he did make a few appearances out of the pen for Puerto Rico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
