Juan Morillo Topic Page

The Twins on Monday designated RHP Luis Ayala for assignment and called up 27 year-old RHP Bobby Keppel from AAA Rochester. In the grand scheme of things, the move is probably pointless. They've basically swapped one bad pitcher for another one. Still, the move raises a few questions in my mind.

I'm not sure what the Twins were expecting when they signed Ayala to a 1-year $1.3 million contract in the offseason. His numbers this year have been almost perfectly in line with his career marks, but apparently Bill Smith and Company have decided that's not what they're looking for. If they expected the 31-year old to somehow defy numbers posted in over 350 career big league innings, they're absolutely insane.

Anticipoinment has to be the official word of the Twins-Royals weekend series. The series brought much anticipation for the return of Joe Mauer, and let me be clear, Mauer had nothing to with the latter half of the portmanteau. In his first at-bat on Friday night, he took 2 pitches for balls before hitting an opposite field solo home run. Mauer also had a double and a walk, and with the help of a 3 RBI night from Justin Morneau the Twins won the first game of the series, and all was right in the world again.

Joe Mauer is now officially on the active roster, which of course was expected today. Juan Morillo, who had a horrible relief outing surrounded by a couple OK appearances since being claimed off waivers a couple weeks ago, was outrighted to AAA Rochester to make room for Mauer.

1. Scott Baker allowing a 2-run homer in the first inning
2. Scott Baker allowing a 2-run homer in the second inning
3. Scott Baker allowing a 2-run homer in the third inning
4. Juan Morillo walking 3 of 4 batters, and allowing a double to the other
5. Back-to-back infield pop-ups from Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer with bases loaded

The Twins followed up Friday night's improbable, Jason Kubel induced, comeback win with a solid victory on Saturday night. Big innings in the fifth and sixth helped the Twins to a 9-2 victory--their biggest win of the season. The win locked up a series victory against the Los Angeles Angels for the team's first series win of the season.

Kevin Slowey rebounded nicely from a shaky start to the season. After allowing 5 runs in each of his first two starts, Slowey held the Angels to just 2 runs through 7 strong innings. The long ball has been Slowey's achilles heel this year, and Torii Hunter's 2-run shot in the second inning was all the scoring the Angels would do.

The Twins claimed 25 year old righthander Juan Morillo from the Colorado Rockies today, and to clear room for him they designated Philip Humber for assignment. Humber is out of options, which essentially means he's gone unless no other team claims him from waivers. It seems unlikely that he would go unclaimed.

So, who is Juan Morillo? I had no idea, so I did some searching, and I still don't know much. He was signed by the Rockies in 2001 as an undrafted free agent. He came into the spring out of options, just like Humber. Morillo, however, didn't make the team when camp broke. Correction: Morillo did make the Rockies out of spring, but was sent packing to clear room for players returning from the DL. He made no appearances this year. Via Lavelle E. Neal: