The highly anticipated major league debut of top pitching prospect Jose Berrios will have to wait even though a spot in the rotation opened up with Phil Hughes headed for the disabled list, according to multiple reports.
Hughes, bothered by a back issue, is expected to be placed on the 15-day DL. Berrios will remain at Triple-A Rochester, where he’s pitched really well of late, and the Twins will insert Trevor May, Tyler Duffy and Tommy Milone back into the starting rotation.
Phil Hughes is going on the DL. Lower back. Twins pitching schedule: Friday is May; Saturday is Duffey; Sunday is Milone.
— Derek Wetmore (@DerekWetmore) August 13, 2015
Phil Hughes owned a 9.88 ERA in his last 3 starts, heads to the DL #MNTwins
— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 13, 2015
May is a starter but was moved into a relief role earlier this season to help solidify a shaky bullpen. Meanwhile, Milone is returning from the disabled list and Duffy is back for his second big league start; he allowed six runs to the Blue Jays last week and lasted just two innings in his debut. But he responded nicely by tossing six one-hit innings in his only start since at Triple-A Rochester.
The Star Tribune speculated Wednesday night that Berrios could get the call to start Saturday, but General Manager Terry Ryan hinted that the 21-year-old right-hander, who has a 95 mph fastball to go along with effective off-speed stuff, still has some things to work on.
“He’s done a good job, don’t get me wrong,” Ryan said. “There are some things we need to see out of him down there. He is one of our better pitching prospects, if not at the top of the list.”
Terry Ryan said last night Berrios still has things to work on. https://t.co/rymDeSUeOS
— Brian Hall (@MNBrianHall) August 13, 2015
