Twins put Rosario (ankle sprain) on injured list
CHICAGO -- The Twins emptied their bullpen for the second time in 10 days, used eight players on the field for 18 innings and saw Nelson Cruz take a foul ball off his ankle in Thursday afternoon's marathon loss to the Rays. That necessitated several roster moves for the club to have fresh bodies against the White Sox on Friday, headlined by the placement of Eddie Rosario on the 10-day injured list with a left ankle sprain.
Zack Littell was also optioned to Triple-A Rochester, while Ehire Adrianza was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and left-hander Lewis Thorpe -- the organization's No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- received his first callup to the Major Leagues to provide length out of the bullpen.
Rosario sustained the sprained ankle while rounding first base in Wednesday's win over the Rays, and manager Rocco Baldelli previously said that an X-ray and MRI of the area did not show any serious damage. Baldelli had also said that Rosario might be able to avoid the injured list, but the thin state of the Twins' roster played a part in dictating the move.
"I think it's going to be a situation where it's literally just going to be too many days that we would probably have to wait just to find out when he can run, when he can hit, when he can do all these different things," Baldelli said. "And we probably had to make that decision maybe a hair earlier than we would have wanted to, but we had to probably just make it."
With that in mind, Rosario's move to the injured list shouldn't necessarily be taken as an indication that the outfielder's status has worsened.
"His condition hasn't changed," Baldelli said. "It's still a situation where I still believe we dodged a major issue, but also an issue that's probably going to take more than one or two days to heal himself up and get back to where he wants to be."
After Willians Astudillo was placed on the injured list on Thursday, Adrianza, who spent time recovering from abdominal issues and regaining strength, will provide important versatility around both the infield and outfield. Luis Arraez was forced into outfield duty again on Friday.
Thorpe, a 23-year-old southpaw from Melbourne, Australia, was named the Twins' 2018 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after recording a 3.54 ERA with 157 strikeouts in 129 2/3 innings spanning 26 appearances, including 25 starts, for Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Rochester. He had a 5.71 ERA in 14 starts for the Red Wings this season, with 88 strikeouts and 21 walks in 69 1/3 innings.
He could play an important role in eating innings for a depleted Twins bullpen that saw Ryne Harper forced into action for a third straight game and an inning of relief from starter Kyle Gibson on Thursday. Trevor May, Blake Parker and Taylor Rogers have also pitched in each of the last two games.
"Everyone needs their moment," Baldelli said. "It’s usually for different reasons for every guy, but this is his and we’re going to look to him. I could see him getting in there and pitching today or pitching tomorrow and getting out there pretty soon and being a big contributor for us this series, at the very least."
Buxton, Gonzalez participate in on-field workout
Both Byron Buxton and Marwin Gonzalez took batting practice on the field and did baserunning and outfield drills with the Twins' coaching staff prior to Friday night's series opener in Chicago.
"I think these are all the signs that are pointing to them being back soon," Baldelli said.
Buxton had also taken swings in the cage on Thursday, but noted that there was still some pain and soreness in his right wrist, which was struck by a pitch on June 14.
"[It was] fine -- not too bad," Buxton said. "It was a lot better, so take the positive side out of it."
Baldelli has said for several days that Buxton is nearing his return, but that the Twins wished to remain cautious with their center fielder, who Baldelli noted is the type of player that could try to rush himself back to be on the field with his teammates. But with Rosario, Astudillo and Gonzalez all sidelined with injuries, Buxton's return can't come quickly enough for the Twins.
"Obviously, those are brothers that were picking it up in center for me while I’m down, and just seeing them go down back-to-back days like that, it’s not fun," Buxton said. "It makes you want to kind of push yourself even more to get back out there, but the coaches and guys have been doing a good job of keeping me in the moment and keeping that perspective, as in, 'Just because that happens, don’t try to be a superhero and do something that you’re not ready to do.'"