The Twins recalled Alcala from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.
Alcala owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 20 innings in the majors since the All-Star break, but he'll be called upon to give the Twins a fresh bullpen arm as they fight to secure a wild-card spot. He'll take the place of Brent Headrick, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Moved to minors
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Alcala was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The Twins have elected to demote Alcala in order to make room for Cole Irvin, who was claimed off waivers earlier in the day. Alcala's recent performance likely led to the demotion, as he's allowed three runs in his last three appearances out of the bullpen.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Career-high velocity
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Alcala allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning Saturday against Seattle. He reached a career-high 101.2 mph on the radar gun, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Alcala has been an impact setup man for the Twins since returning from his inexplicable demotions to Triple-A in May and April. Alcala has a 1.05 ERA with a 19:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings since returning to the majors in late May.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Rejoins bullpen
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The Twins recalled Alcala from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
The club had previously optioned Caleb Boushley and now have announced Alcala as his replacement on the roster and in the bullpen. In eight appearances this season, Alcala has collected a 3.27 ERA and 10:6 K:BB. He figures to be utilized in middle relief.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Heads back to Triple-A
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The Twins optioned Alcala to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Alcala allowed four runs and threw 48 pitches over two innings in Tuesday's 10-6 loss to the Mariners, so he's being sent out in favor of a fresh arm. Right-hander Josh Staumont was recalled from St. Paul in a corresponding move.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Recalled from Triple-A
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The Twins recalled Alcala from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
He's taking the roster and bullpen spot vacated by Caleb Boushley, who was sent back to St. Paul on Thursday. Alcala never deserved to be optioned in the first place, as he has given up just one unearned run on three hits through six appearances this season.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Alcala to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.
The right-hander has given up just one unearned run on three hits through six appearances this season, but he'll be the odd man out of the bullpen with Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) making his return from the injured list. Alcala should rejoin Minnesota once additional bullpen help is needed.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Returns to action Tuesday
Rotowire
Alcala (undisclosed) struck out two over a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Dodgers.
Per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com, Alcala dealt with some unspecified soreness coming out of his most recent relief appearance in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Cleveland, prompting the Twins to hold him out of Monday's series-opening 4-2 loss to Los Angeles. Alcala was able to play light catch Sunday without incident, and after returning to action Tuesday and delivering a solid outing, he looks to be good to go moving forward. The right-hander is off to an excellent start to the 2024 campaign, striking out six over 5.2 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and two walks.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Throws two scoreless innings
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Alcala threw two scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. He's thrown 2.2 scoreless innings in two games this season.
Alcala hurt his hand late in spring training (struck in the right hand by a line drive) but it has not been an issue during the regular season. After two injury-plagued seasons, Alcala could move into a higher-leverage role later this season. He features a plus fastball, but control as been a recent problem (5.2 BB/9 last season), so keep an eye on his walk rate.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Returns to action Sunday
Rotowire
Alcala (hand) gave up five runs (three earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings of relief Sunday in the Twins' 8-3 loss to the Orioles in Grapefruit League play.
Alcala returned to the mound four days after he left his appearance against the Tigers early due to being struck in the right hand by a line drive. While Alcala was fortunate to avoid structural damage and seemingly needed only a few days off for any pain he was experiencing to subside, his results in his return to the mound were less than stellar. Given that he's missed most of the last two seasons with arm issues and is now sporting a 6.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 10 innings in the Grapefruit League, Alcala may not be a lock for a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen. He still has three minor-league options remaining, so Minnesota could elect to send Alcala to Triple-A St. Paul if the organization feels he isn't ready to contribute out of the big-league bullpen.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Clean X-rays on pitching hand
Rotowire
X-rays on Alcala's pitching hand showed no broken bones after he was hit in the hand by a line drive in Wednesday's game, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Alcala's index and middle finger on his right hand were sore after the game, but sounds like he could be ready for Opening Day. Alcala has had a strong spring and looks back to full strength after two injury-plagued seasons. He threw just 17.1 innings last season with an ugly 6.23 ERA and missed more than four months with a stress fracture in his right forearm. He threw just 2.1 innings in 2022 due to an elbow injury that required season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery. He's likely to win a spot on the Opening Day roster due to injuries to Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Jhoan Duran (oblique).
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Exits appearance with injury
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Alcala was removed from a Grapefruit League appearance Wednesday versus the Tigers with a right hand injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
The reliever had a comebacker deflect off his pitching hand before going into his glove. He initially stayed in, but it affected the grip of his pitches, so he was removed. Consider Alcala day-to-day for now.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Likely to make MLB bullpen
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Alcala looks set to begin the season in the Minnesota bullpen with injuries to Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Jhoan Duran (oblique), MLB.com reports. He has a 2.16 ERA this spring with a 10:3 K:BB in 8.1 innings.
Alcala has had a strong spring and looks back to full strength after two injury-plagued seasons. He threw just 17.1 innings last season with an ugly 6.23 ERA and missed more than four months with a stress fracture in his right forearm. He threw just 2.1 innings in 2022 due to an elbow injury that required season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery. He could become part of the setup mix if his fastball can come close to averaging in the high-90s as it did earlier in his career (97.4 mph average in 2021).
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Agrees to terms
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Alcala agreed to a one-year, $790,000 deal with the Twins on Thursday that includes a $1.5 million club option for 2025, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Alcala gets a $55,000 buyout if the Twins decline the 2025 option. The 28-year-old righty has sat around 95 mph with his fastball over the past two seasons after previously sitting around 97 mph in 2020 and 2021. He has been limited by injuries the past two seasons and will likely work in low-leverage situations initially in 2024.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Activated Sunday
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Alcala (forearm) was activated from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
He logged a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in six innings over five rehab appearances. Alcala hasn't pitched since Sept. 22, so he could see action in the season finale against the Rockies.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Facing hitters Tuesday
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Alcala (forearm) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Alcala is slated to face off against rehabbing teammates Byron Buxton (hamstring) and Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) on Tuesday for the first of what's expected to be two live sessions this week for the right-hander. The 28-year-old was placed on the injured list May 16 with a radial stress fracture of his right forearm and is expected to complete three live batting practice sessions within the next 10 days before the Twins feel comfortable sending him out on a rehab assignment, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Begins throwing
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Alcala (forearm) has started throwing and is expected to pitch again this season, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Alcala was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right forearm in the middle of May, and it wasn't clear if he would be able to return this season. He struggled with a 6.46 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 15.1 innings before the injury.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Moves to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Minnesota transferred Alcala (forearm) on Sunday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Alcala is now off the 40-man roster, and the Twins used that roster spot to reinstate Gilberto Celestino off the 60-day IL before optioning the outfielder to Triple-A St. Paul. Alcala was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right forearm in the middle of May, and he won't be able to return to the Minnesota pitching staff until after the All-Star break.
Further testing on Alcala's right forearm revealed a radial stress fracture in his right forearm, and he'll be shut down until symptoms resolve, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Park notes that the stress fracture is being described as a "pretty rare" injury for a pitcher without much injury history to draw upon. The Twins will evaluate the right-hander again in 10-to-14 days, but there's no clear timeline as to when Alcala will be ready to return. It's possible that Minnesota won't see Alcala as a part of its pitching staff until July.
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Twins' Jorge Alcala: Will receive MRI on forearm
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Alcala will undergo an MRI on his forearm in Minnesota on Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
According to head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, the issue for Alcala is more on the top side of his forearm, a positive development given that's typically less of a surgical concern. Alcala was placed on the 15-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, and just how long the right-hander will be out will largely be determined by the results of the imaging.
