NewsManship takes starting reins for first time
Minnesota (66-65) vs. Chicago (64-68), 7:10 p.m. CT
Jeff Manship has allowed four runs over seven innings in five relief appearances. (Paul Battaglia/AP)
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
08/31/09 11:56 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- It will be a familiar situation with a less-than-familiar face Tuesday when Twins pitcher Jeff Manship takes to the mound against the White Sox in his big league starting debut. Manship becomes the most recent in a string of Minnesota pitchers that have been thrust into the starting role as a result of injuries to the Twins rotation. First, it was Anthony Swarzak, who made his debut in May. Next came Brian Duensing, whose first start came on July 29 after the left-hander pitched a handful of games out of the bullpen. Duensing's been able to hold down a rotation spot since then, at least temporarily. Most recently, Armando Gabino was a fresh face on the hill for Minnesota after being called up from Triple-A Rochester and making a spot start. Gabino's stint was brief, as he was optioned back to Rochester shortly after his one-and-done outing. Now, Manship is being called upon by skipper Ron Gardenhire as Minnesota continues to explore options for the ever-revolving rotation spot. That spot has been vacant as a result of starters Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey all being placed on the disabled list. "When injuries happen, you have to do the best you can," Gardenhire said. "I don't know how many teams are that deep as far as starting pitching goes. We've got three [starters] that have gone down. That's an awful lot to ask. We just need these young men to go out there and get us into the game a little bit and do the best they can." Unlike Gabino, who made just five starts in 36 appearances with Rochester this season, Manship brings experience as a starter. The right-hander made eight starts with the Red Wings and 13 starts with Double-A New Britain this season, posting a combined record of 10-6 with a 3.86 ERA between the two levels. Since being called up, Manship has made five relief appearances, allowing four earned runs in seven innings of work. He'll now make the adjustment back to the starting role he feels most comfortable in. "Mentally, it wasn't too hard, going into the situations with guys on. I thought it was going to be a little bit tougher than it actually was," Manship said of pitching out of the bullpen. "Now it'll be nice to go back to what I've been doing." Pitching matchupMIN: RHP Jeff Manship (0-0, 5.14 ERA)
Manship will be making his first career start Tuesday when he takes the hill against Chicago. Used only in relief in five appearances with the Twins, Manship was a starter for Triple-A Rochester, making eight starts while posting a 4-2 record and a 3.22 ERA. He was called up by Minnesota in mid-August in an effort to bolster the bullpen. CWS: LHP John Danks (12-8, 3.82 ERA)
Danks has turned into the White Sox stopper during the month of August, picking up four of the team's 11 victories. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, going 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA (six earned runs in 27 2/3 innings) during that stretch. On Thursday at Fenway Park, Danks gave up two runs on six hits over six innings, while striking out six and walking one. Danks tries to start off the final full month of the 2009 season on the right note, bringing a 1-1 record against the Twins this year into the contest. Danks is 0-1 lifetime at the Metrodome. Tidbits
Gardenhire said its unlikely that pitcher Boof Bonser will be ready to help the club in September. Bonser, who has missed the entire season following shoulder surgery to repair both a torn labrum and rotator cuff, is just starting to face live hitters, and he's expected to pitch in the instructional league. ... Perkins was reinstated from the disabled list Monday and was immediately optioned to Rochester. Perkins was placed on the DL with shoulder tendinitis on Aug. 12. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Twins (Brian Duensing, 2-1, 4.37) vs. White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 11-7, 3.89), 12:10 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Twins (Carl Pavano, 11-10, 5.11) at Indians (Jeremy Sowers, 5-9, 4.88), 6:05 p.m. CT
Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
