CLEVELAND — For parts of this season, Jorge Alcala has been among the Twins’ top bullpen arms, serving as an option in later innings.
But Alcala hasn’t been the same in the second half of the season and particularly since a blowup in Texas a month ago, during which he allowed five runs and recorded just two outs in the seventh inning of what became a tough loss.
Still, Alcala had been among the Twins’ later-inning options, unlike some of the pitchers who remain on the roster, making the decision to option him to make room on the roster for newly-claimed Cole Irvin a surprising one to many.
There were multiple reasons the Twins made this move, Alcala’s recent performance included, according to Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and president of baseball operations Derek Falvey.
Other reasons include the fact he still has minor league options, which means the Twins do not have to designate him for assignment and risk losing him as they would with some others. And the Twins are in a position where they need length from their bullpen with their three rookie starters — Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews and David Festa — often not making it through five innings.
Alcala has pitched two innings a handful of times, but a reason for keeping, say, Louie Varland, who also could be optioned, over Alcala is that Varland spent much of his season starting and can give the Twins more length.
Over Alcala’s past month, including that day in Texas on Aug. 18, he has a 10.38 earned-run average, giving up 10 runs in 8 2/3 innings. He has given up runs in five of his past nine outings and home runs in four of those. Alcala did not give up a home run until mid-July, but he has found himself more susceptible to the longball.
It’s the third time the Twins have optioned Alcala to Triple-A this season, though he has been in the majors since May 24.
“The last few weeks have been tough. He has given up a lot of hard-hit balls and home runs and things like that,” Baldelli said. “He still has good stuff. We still believe in him. We still anticipate him doing a lot of good things for us over time.”
Irvin joins Twins
When his father recently asked him about the possibility of being designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles, Irvin told him he thought there was about a 1 percent chance.
“Then, what do you know? I got the call,” Irvin said.
The Orioles designated him for assignment n Sunday. On Monday, the Twins claimed him off of waivers.
While he said he was disappointed to leave his friends and former teammates, he took a positive approach about the opportunity he has in front of him, joining the Twins as they fight for a playoff berth.
“I’ve got so much joy and happiness. There’s so much opportunity,” Irvin said. “I’ve heard so many good things about this organization, in terms of how they handle the pitching staff, how they help players get better.”
Irvin has started and relieved this season for the Orioles and said he’d be prepared for whatever the Twins ask of him.
“Be ready — that’s what I’ve been told,” Irvin said. “That’s what I’m going to do, be ready. … Just looking forward to just getting on the mound again and providing innings where the team needs it.”
Kepler gets cortisone shot
Max Kepler’s return from the injured list has been delayed after the right fielder reported feeling soreness in his hip/groin area, Falvey said.
Kepler received a cortisone shot Monday, and if he responds well, they will start ramping up his activity with the goal of him playing in Triple-A games by this weekend. That could potentially put him on track to return to the Twins next week.
The right fielder originally landed on the IL with patellar tendinitis in his left knee. Kepler’s knee is doing better, Falvey said.
Briefly
Bailey Ober will take the ball on Wednesday opposed by Guardians starter Tanner Bibee. Ober has had mixed results against Cleveland, giving up five runs in a four-inning effort in May and shutting the Guardians out for six innings in August.
