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Morillo offers Twins another power arm
Los Angeles (4-6) at Minnesota (5-7), 6:10 p.m. CT
The Twins believe pitching coach Rick Anderson can help Juan Morillo cut down on his control issues. (Getty Images)
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
04/18/09 3:50 AM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins' bullpen has endured its share of woes in the early part of the 2009 season. On Friday, the club made a move to try and help its relief corps by swapping right-handers -- claiming Juan Morillo off waivers from the Rockies and designating Philip Humber for assignment. Entering Friday's game against the Angels, the Twins relievers had posted a 6.88 ERA. And over the first 11 games of the season, the group had thrown a total of 597 pitches -- fifth-most in the Majors. Among the relievers struggling was Humber, who posted a 12.46 ERA over 4 1/3 innings. A former first-round Draft pick of the Mets and one of four players acquired by the Twins in the Johan Santana trade, Humber allowed 11 hits over that span while walking four and striking out four. The Twins decided it was worth the risk to expose Humber on waivers to take a chance on the power-throwing Morillo. The club now has 10 days to either trade Humber or assign him to Triple-A Rochester if he clears waivers. "We had a short window of observation and evaluation," Twins general manager Bill Smith said of Humber. "But unfortunately, we have a lot of guys in our bullpen who are out of options. And this was a chance for us to add a power arm to the organization." With the club able to slot knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in the long-relief role, which Humber was expected to occupy, the organization was looking for another situational reliever. Morillo, 25, was designated for assignment by the Rockies on April 10 before appearing in a single game this season. In just six career Major League appearances, including one start, Morillo has given up 11 runs over 8 2/3 innings. The right-hander's fastball has been clocked in the mid-to-upper 90s. He also features a slider that's said to top out around 90 mph. Morillo's inability to stick in the Majors has been based on his lack of command. In 59 2/3 innings for Triple-A Colorado Springs last season, Morillo issued 56 walks. "He has his issues, all power guys have those," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "But we're talking a very powerful arm here." Although Mirillo has issues with his control, the hope is that pitching coach Rick Anderson can help him work through those problems like he's done with other pitchers in the past. The Twins have also been able to use the waiver wire to fill holes in recent years, like they did last season when they picked up left-hander Craig Breslow. As was the case with Humber, Morillo is out of options. But the Twins decided Morillo was worth a shot. "This guy is what we don't have right now, and that's a hard thrower in the bullpen," Smith said. "It's an opportunity. You are constantly watching that waiver wire. We'll bring him in and let Rick work with him and see what he does." It's unclear just how soon Morillo might have an impact. The right-hander was scheduled to arrive in Minnesota on Friday night. But with Morillo having not pitched in a game since Spring Training, it's unlikely that he'd be slotted into Saturday's game against the Angels. The Twins would like to see Morillo throw a bullpen first before getting him into game action. As for Humber, it's unclear if he'll remain in the club's system or not. The expectation during Spring Training was Humber would not clear waivers if he was put on them. Now, the club will have to wait and see if he does. The hope is still that they can keep Humber in the organization and send him down to the Minors to get more time to pitch. "We kept him here and it didn't work out," Gardenhire said. "Whether he gets through waivers or not we have to wait and find out." Pitching matchupMIN: RHP Kevin Slowey (1-0, 7.94 ERA)
Slowey was left looking for answers after a second rough outing in an 8-6 loss to Toronto on Monday. Slowey gave up five earned runs in just over five innings, increasing his ERA to 7.94. Slowey threw 88 pitches and gave up two home runs in his first loss of the season. In his season debut against Seattle, he pitched six innings and gave up four earned runs in a victory. The right-hander out of Winthrop University, thought by many to have the best Spring Training of all of Minnesota's starters, has yet to duplicate that in the regular season. LAA: LHP Darren Oliver (0-0, 2.45 ERA)
Oliver, who went as deep as four innings in a camp game this spring, pitched six brilliant innings of long relief in Game 3 of the 2006 NLCS for the Mets and has the stuff and knowledge to get into the middle innings if called upon. He likes to come inside with hard stuff and then go with breaking stuff away. Tidbits
A native of the Dominican Republic, Morillo has competed against Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla and outfielder Carlos Gomez. Both players told Gardenhire and the Twins' staff that Morillo "throws very, very hard and has a very good arm."... The Twins will not have to face Vladimir Guerrero throughout this three-game series against the Angels, as the slugger is out for at least a month with a torn right pectoral muscle. Tickets
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• TRN Up next
• Sunday: Angels (Shane Loux, 0-0, 3.38) at Twins (Glen Perkins, 0-1, 1.69), 1:10 p.m. CT
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Twins (Scott Baker, 0-1, 13.50) at Red Sox (TBD), 6:10 p.m. CT
Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
