Competition Update Thursday 3/14

The Twins sent Kyle Gibson to the minor leagues, ending for now the question of whether he is ready to pitch in the big leagues.  It would not be a huge surprise if we don't see him in the big leagues at all this year. He is going to be on some work limits this year as he builds his durability. Whether he will get to the point that he is ready before he hits his limits is an open question. But it seems unlikely they will be willing to add to his work load with a September callup.

With Thielbar sent to the minor leagues, Robertson is the only lefty still in competition for bullpen spot. That gives him a slight advantage, but it won't guarantee him a spot. It looks less likely that Swarzak will be ready to start the season, which will open a spot for another bullpen guy.

It also sounds like Escobar is very likely to be on the roster, either as a starter or as a second utility guy along with Carroll.  Dozier is still probably the favorite as the regular second base. Benson increasingly looks like a long shot for center field. Even if  he settles in and starts hitting the next couple weeks he doesn't really fit as a leadoff guy the way Hicks or Mastroianni do.

Here is the current status of the competition:



Catcher
Mauer (WBC)
Doumit

Butera (WBC)


Infield
Morneau (1b)
Carroll (2b, ss, 3b)
Plouffe (3b)

Florimon (ss)

Escobar (2b,ss,3b)
Dozier (2b, ss)

Olmedo (2b, ss, 3b)
Sobolewski (3b)
Clement (1b)
Colabello (1b)

Romero (3b)
Santana (minors)
Beresford (minors)

Left Field
Willingham

Center Field
Hicks
Mastroianni

Benson

Thomas
Boggs

Right Field
Parmelee

Arcia
Benson
Ramirez
Thomas
Dinkelman
Boggs

Fourth Outfielder
Mastroianni

Thomas
Boggs
Benson

Fifth Outfielder
Benson
Dinkelman

Ramirez
Thomas
Boggs

Rotation
Worley
Pelfrey
Diamond
Correia

Hendricks 
DeVries

Deduno (WBC)
Walters
Hernandez
Martis (WBC)

Harden  (injured)
Perez (injured)

Hermsen (minors)
May (minors)
Myer (minors)
Vasquez (minors)
Gibson (minors)

Blackburn (DL)


Bullpen


Perkins
Burton
Duensing (S)

Fien
Burnett
Swarzak (DL)
Pressly
Wood
Robertson
Roenicke 
Perdomo

Perez (injured)
Harden (injured)

Guerra (injured)
Augenstein (minors)
Thielbar (minors)
Slama (minors)