4/25: Molitor on Danny Santana's Return, Buxton, Kepler Going Down and Other Notes

Welcome from Target Field on an overcast day.

The Minnesota Twins will honor Prince with a pregame ceremony today with a moment of silence prior to the National Anthem. Also, much of the display is tinted purple, and some of the team’s walk-up songs will be changed to Prince’s music.

It was a rather subdued clubhouse despite all of the news that came out today. Alex Meyer has been recalled and Danny Santana reinstated. Byron Buxton and Max Kepler have been sent down.

Meyer was in the clubhouse for a bit, but left quickly. He was recalled because it was his turn in the rotation in Rochester, he’s stretched out, and the Twins are out of relievers after last night’s 16-inning game.

“Today he’s the long man. And maybe short too,” manager Paul Molitor joked. “I’m not sure how he’s gonna fit in over the long term, but I know today we just know that if something goes awry with Tommy [Milone], he’s gonna get a chance to pitch.”

Milone (0-1, 5.87 ERA) faces righty Danny Salazar (2-1, 1.47 ERA) in today’s matchup with the Cleveland Indians. Milone is making his fourth start of the year, and only went 4.2 innings in his last outing.

We talked to Danny Santana about the call-up this afternoon, but my video’s audio was muted due to a copyright claim. There was some Led Zeppelin blasting in the clubhouse at the time that he was talking.

“Losing Max and Byron, we’re gonna have some opportunities for Danny to get in there here, especially with only 11 position players,” said Molitor. “So yeah, just versatile, athletic — he can run, he can do a lot of things to help you win games, so tonight I have him out there in center field.”

He is replacing Buxton in the outfield, of course. Molitor praised Buxton for his ability to keep his struggles at the plate (.156/.208/.289) from affecting him in the outfield.

“It’s something that we talked about, but I’m not even sure if he needed to hear it,” he said. “I think he understands his value on the defensive side of the game, and I can’t think of a play he really didn’t make throughout the course of what you would consider an offensive struggle in the first three-plus weeks.”

As far as improving his hitting, that’s a bit of a complicated task.

“We’re working on things mechanically, which can sometimes be more problematic than helpful when the guys worry about mechanics when they’re in the batter’s box,” he said, adding that hitting coach Tom Brunansky and assistant Rudy Hernandez have been working with him constantly when he’s in the majors.

“Shorten your swing, find a way to put the ball in play. Try to stay away from those behind counts as much as he does. What did he have, one bunt hit when he was up here? That part of his game isn’t refined yet either. It is something that would help him through these kind of stretches if he could improve on that as well.”

With Max Kepler it’s a bit simpler. He was the Double-A Southern League MVP last season, but needs more time in Triple-A, and more playing time in general.

“We asked a lot of him. He didn’t get a chance,” said Molitor. “Partially, it was just the way things unfolded: Arcia’s been a little resurgence there for a few days. I still think this game up here, I’m not sure, I don’t know if “quite ready” is the right term, but I think he needs to play. Sitting around here is not doing him any good.”

Tyler Duffey was still in the clubhouse today, and Ervin Santana is undergoing treatment. Because Duffey is injured, he cannot be sent down.

“I’m not sure exactly how we’re gonna handle what he was gonna do after that game yesterday. With coming out of the game with an injury, it’s not a situation where you can make a move, even if that’s what you were gonna do. That’s just the way the rules are,” said Molitor.

“He pitched well enough to us for us to at least consider kinda figuring out if he can still fit up here, but right now we’ve gotta try to get him healthy where he’s back on the mound. And I think we’re in good shape with that, because he looks in pretty good today.”

Santana got treatment today. Trevor Plouffe is doing “very well”: and Molitor is encouraged about him being ready on time to come off Tuesday at Houston.

Perkins is feeling better as well. “His tests are showing more strength every day,” said Molitor. “I think he’s a ways away, but at least he’s going the right way.”

Molitor is operating with a short bench today. Only John Ryan Murphy and Eddie Rosario are available. Plus, of course, most of the bullpen is burned out.

“Because of the circumstances surrounding yesterday, everything from Duffey getting hit to the fact that we had to milk through our entire bullpen, I’m not sure who’s gonna be available to give me an inning tonight,” said Molitor.

“It’s just one of those moves that we had to make. I’m not sure if it’s gonna be a day or two days or possibly all the way until Friday with this scenario of two position players, but we need to get through today.”

As for the athleticism, or lack thereof, Molitor said. “It’s a different look.”

“It’s not the same, it’s not as athletic. But it’s what we have to make due with right now,” he added. “The after point is, with the two guys on the bench, I have to contemplate having someone on the bench that hopefully was a little more flexible and can run. And that kind of went into the thought about who is gonna play out there today.”

Be sure to follow Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) and I (@tschreier3) as well as Cold Omaha (@ColdOmahaMN) for Twins coverage all year long.

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