Advertisement

Twins get good news on pitcher Tyler Mahle

john shipley, pioneer press
·2 min read
1

The Twins got good news on Tyler Mahle on Thursday when an MRI exam revealed no structural damage in his right shoulder.

The right-handed pitcher, one of three big trade deadline pitching additions on Aug. 2, was pulled from Wednesday’s start in the third inning with what the team called “right shoulder fatigue.”

That changed little on Thursday, when the team said Mahle will be treated for general soreness and fatigue. He is considered day to day but it appears likely he will miss his next scheduled start. Mahle missed three weeks in July with essentially the same symptoms.

Manager Rocco Baldelli will give a more detailed update before the Twins’ 7:10 p.m. first pitch against the Texas Rangers on Friday at Target Field.

Mahle’s velocity was noticeably down on Wednesday, his four-seam fastball in the 88-mph range after averaging 94.3 all season. He also was conspicuously trying to stretch out the shoulder during his 2⅓ innings, and after inducing two foul balls from Kansas City Royals shortstop Maikel Garcia, Baldelli pulled him.

Emilio Pagan, who relieved Mahle with a 1-2 count on Garcia, and earned the win in the Twins’ 4-0 victory, said the bullpen was warned after the first full inning it might be called on early.

“Mahle’s been battling his shoulder for a couple of starts,” Pagan said after the game. “He’s a warrior. I think he wanted to stay in the game, but it’s probably best for our team to get him out and stay ahead of it and make sure he gets enough rest and some treatment moving forward.”

Mahle had an MRI with Cincinnati in early July, revealing what Mahle called “irritation and inflammation” but has been strong since. In his two previous starts since being acquired by the Twins, Mahle was 1-0 with a 3.00 earned-run average, and the Twins were 2-0 in those starts.

TWINS CLAIM PITCHER

After Wednesday’s game, the Twins claimed pitcher Jake Jewell off waivers from Cleveland and made the move official on Thursday, optioning the right-hander to Triple-A Saint Paul. He has a 7.75 ERA in 31 major-league appearances with the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs.

In 36 appearances with the Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate in Columbus this season, Jewell, 29, was 2-2 with a 2.49 ERA and converted four of seven save opportunities. Opposing batters hit .182 against him, and he walked 15 and fanned 48 in 43⅓ innings.

Related Articles