Title: Dallas Keuchel Joins Minnesota Twins’ Starting Rotation, Promising Debut Expected
In an unexpected turn of events, Dallas Keuchel has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract, putting the Minnesota Twins in a tough position. The team had to decide whether to promote the veteran left-handed pitcher to their major league roster or let him enter free agency. Ultimately, the Twins made the bold choice to call up Keuchel, replacing struggling starter Joe Ryan.
Keuchel’s recent success in the minors played a significant role in the Twins’ decision. He was named the International League Pitcher of the Month for July after an impressive stint in the minors. In six starts, he recorded a stellar 1-0 record and a remarkable 1.13 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in 32 innings.
The stage is now set for Keuchel’s highly-anticipated debut with the Twins. The lefty veteran is expected to take the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks either on Saturday or Sunday, providing much-needed reinforcement to the starting rotation.
Keuchel’s opt-out clause emerged after the trade deadline, giving the Twins only 48 hours to make a decision regarding his future with the team. Wisely, they chose to add him to their roster, making room by transferring José De León to the 60-day injured list.
Despite the excitement surrounding Keuchel’s arrival, there are some concerns about his pitch mix and how it will fare against major league hitters. During his last start with the St. Paul Saints, his fastball only reached a top speed of 88 mph. However, Keuchel invested time refining his skills at Driveline, a state-of-the-art baseball facility in Arizona, after contemplating retirement. Prior to the past two years, he boasted an impressive career with an 81-55 record and a 3.25 ERA from 2014 to 2020.
In other Twins news, star outfielder Byron Buxton remains sidelined due to right hamstring tightness. If his condition does not improve by Friday, further medical evaluation may be necessary. Additionally, the Twins recently promoted their 2022 first-round pick, Brooks Lee, to Class AAA after his remarkable performance in Class AA. Lee hit .292 with 11 home runs and 61 RBI, leading the Texas League in doubles and excelling in various other statistical categories.
Lastly, due to the illness of Hank Conger, assistant bench coach Tony Diaz stepped in as the Twins’ first-base coach during Wednesday’s game.
With Dallas Keuchel joining the rotation and other notable developments within the team, the Minnesota Twins look to shake things up and regain momentum in their quest for success this season. Fans eagerly await Keuchel’s debut and hope for a spark that will propel the team to greater heights.
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