Jorge Polanco returns; Twins opt for extra position player for time being
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Jorge Polanco spent plenty of time watching his teammates play while he was on the injured list for more than a month and a half, so he was well aware of how good rookie Edouard Julien had been performing at the plate.
That meant that when the Twins wanted to talk to him about a position switch, it didn’t come as such a surprise to the veteran infielder, who previously shifted from shortstop to second base.
“It wasn’t bad news,” Polanco said. “I’ve just got to get used to it, you know? Get used to playing third base, and hopefully, I’ll be good there.”
Polanco, who was activated from the injured list on Friday, started his first game at the hot corner since Aug. 14, 2016. It was his first game in the majors since June 8 when he suffered his second left hamstring strain of the season.
While on rehab with the Triple-A Saints, he started getting some reps in at third base, a position he has played at in just nine major league games.
As part of his transition, Polanco has been watching video of some Gold Glove third basemen, including Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado and newly-minted hall of famer Scott Rolen, as well as working with Saints defensive coach Tyler Smarslok and Twins infield/assistant bench coach Tony Diaz.
“I played some games over there. I’m not used to it because I haven’t been playing there in a long time. But I think I just need more reps,” Polanco said. “A lot of ground balls and I think I’m going to be good.”
To make room on the roster, the Twins optioned reliever Cole Sands, dropping down to 12 pitchers for the time being, a decision made in part because of an off day on Thursday and another one coming up on Monday.
That decision meant rookie Matt Wallner has remained on the roster for the time being. Wallner entered the day hitting .294 with a .988 OPS, making the most of his limited opportunities thus far in the majors.
“The longer we can carry all of these left-handed hitters and be able to stack them into that lineup right on through, the better — and Wallner’s definitely a big part of that conversation with the way he’s playing, especially the way he’s swinging the bat,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “There’s no denying the impactfulness of what he does at the plate right now.”
Floro joins Twins
Reliever Dylan Floro arrived in Kansas City, excited and ready to compete for a division title with his new teammates. The Twins swapped Floro for reliever Jorge López on Wednesday, in hopes that a change of scenery might help them both.
“It’s something new. It’s always something to look forward to,” Floro said. “They’re in first place right now, so we’re in the middle of a race, and I have a little bit of experience in that from back when I played with the Dodgers. So to get back into that, those are fun games, especially right down the end here.”
Floro entered the day with a 4.54 earned-run average in 39 2/3 innings this season, and Baldelli called him a “good, calm veteran presence and a guy that’s going to bring a lot to our bullpen.”
Briefly
Byron Buxton was not in the starting lineup on Friday after being reinstated from the paternity list. Baldelli said after sleeping in a hospital for the past few days and doing minimal activity, they wanted to give him an extra day off. The Buxtons welcomed their third son on Monday.
