Edouard Julien was not beating his chest on Friday, the day after he took reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal deep in a 4-3 extra-inning loss to Detroit at Target Field.
Julien did, however, acknowledge an injection of confidence.
“Best pitcher in the game,” he noted.
The clout wound up in the plaza behind the right-field bleachers, and was the first by a left-handed hitter against the lefty Skubal all season. Julien also singled and sliced a hard liner into left against Skubal, the AL ERA leader (2.42 in 24 starts) and a favorite to repeat as the league Cy Young winner.
“Ed had a great day,” manager Rocco Baldelli said after the game.
It’s the kind of attention Julien has been trying to demand since returning from a long stint at Class AAA St. Paul after the July 31 trade deadline. After a promising and productive rookie season in 2023, Julien struggled to adjust to pitching that had adjusted to him in 2024.
He made the team out of training camp this season but was optioned to St. Paul after hitting .198 in 29 games. But he found his swing with the Saints, hitting .276 with 21 extra-base hits (11 home runs) in 70 games.
A second baseman for most of his major league games, Julien played first on Thursday and again on Friday. Asked about it, he said, “I honestly don’t think about any of that stuff.”
“I’m just ready every day to try and help the team win, and whatever position they play me at, I’m going to be a guy that gives them some good at-bats and be a good hitter,” he said. “I’m trying to be as good a hitter as I can be, get on base and hit for power. That’s all I’m trying to do.”
Good day for López
Right-hander Pablo López, working his way back from a teres major strain in his right shoulder, pitched two simulated innings against teammates before Friday’s game against Detroit at Target Field.
The veteran said he threw 35 to 40 pitches against teammates Julien, Ryan Fitzgerald and Austin Martin.
“Everything felt good with the delivery, the mechanics, the execution, the pounding the zone, that mentality,” López said. “So, I think everything’s good. I wanted to check all those boxes.”
Lopez said he had hoped to be pitching in games by this time but is pleased with his rehabilitation. If he feels good on Saturday, he should be on pace to throw again in five or six days and build up to 65 pitches.
The goal is to build up five innings and 80 pitches. Then, López said, “I’ll be able to get a few starts in (September), get some peace of mind going into the offseason.”
Briefly
Outfielder Alan Roden, acquired in the trade that sent Louie Varland to Toronto, jammed a thumb a few days ago and re-injured it while sliding head-first into home plate on Thursday. Manager Rocco Baldelli said he’s going to get an MRI on the thumb. … Right-hander David Festa, out with a shoulder impingement, said he’s making progress in his rehab and fully intends to return and “finish the season strong.”
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