The news about the Twins isn’t really news, and it’s not really bad … But it’s not good, either, and if the Twins don’t get some good news soon, Twins news will simply be irrelevant. The latest from Ken Rosenthal about two of the regulars on medical leave:
Mauer and Nishioka are still “a few weeks away,” according to general manager Bill Smith. In the meantime, the Twins continue to scramble. Their minus-62 run differential is by far the worst in the majors. And on Friday, they will promote catcher Rene Rivera, who last appeared in the majors with the Mariners in 2006.
A week ago, Mauer and Nishioka were both a few weeks away from coming off the DL, so this post is mostly an excuse to mention that Twins catchers this season are batting a cool .152 with exactly frigid zero home runs. How did Rene Rivera earn his return trip to the Show? He batted .200 in 13 games with Rochester.
The Twins aren’t dead. But unless Rene Rivera hits five or six home runs in May, they’re going to be put on life support on Memorial Day.