The Twins spent all winter wondering who would emerge as their eighth-inning setup man behind closer Joe Nathan. They didn't figure it out during spring training, and two weeks into the season, the position remains unfilled.
The likeliest candidate for the job, Jesse Crain, went on the disabled list Monday, but it's not certain he was going to remain manager Ron Gardenhire's first choice, anyway. Crain pitched well in the season's first 10 days, but when he was used three times in four days, "you could just see him sort of go 'vvvvvvvt,'" Gardenhire said, explaining the reliever's declining energy level. Matt Guerrier probably isn't a viable candidate, either, after allowing runs in his last three appearances, including four in two-thirds of an inning on April 16. Luis Ayala, signed as a free agent in hopes he might earn the job, has given up runs in four of his seven appearances and owns a 7.36 ERA. Juan Morillo, just acquired on waivers from Colorado, is considered too wild to trust in close games, at least until he proves he can limit his walks.
That could make Jose Mijares, called up to replace Crain, the No. 1 contender for the job. Mijares finished 2008 in the role after allowing just one run in 10 innings, but showed up overweight for spring training. "He let himself down and let other people down, coming in the way he did," Gardenhire said. "It's up to him to get himself in shape to where he can help us again."
The Twins are in the middle of a difficult April in which they face all four 2008 A.L. playoff teams, and their bullpen has surrendered a nine-run and a seven-run seventh inning already. Mijares might not be ready to resume the setup role after just five appearances at Class AAA, but "we may need to force the issue," Gardenhire said.
