Staff Directory 10768740

Bobby Nightengale

Minnesota Twins reporter | Newsroom

Bobby Nightengale joined the Star Tribune in May, 2023, after covering the Reds for the Cincinnati Enquirer for five years. He's a graduate of Bradley University.

Recent content from Bobby Nightengale
Derek Falvey speaks to the media after his new assignment was announced.

Falvey's baseball-and-biz assignment is rare, but he's seen it done

The Twins executive was on hand with Cleveland when Mark Shapiro did the double, and Shapiro noticed then his ability to "connect across every role in the organization."
New Twins General Manager Jeremy Zoll, 34, worked for the Angels as an advance scouting coordinator and on the Dodgers' player development staff befor

How Zoll worked to become the seventh general manager in Twins history

Only 34 years old, Jeremy Zoll has worked his way up the organizational ranks since coming to the Twins in 2018.
Outgoing Twins President Dave St. Peter arrives in the Twins clubhouse Tuesday for a news conference.

Twins moves: Falvey replaces St. Peter as team president; Zoll is new general manager

Dave St. Peter, who has been with the team for 35 years, moves to an advisory role as the Twins prepare for an offseason sale.
David Festa's final outing with the Twins last season came on Sept. 26 against Miami at Target Field.

Twins rookie starter David Festa had interesting second-half numbers

Next up for the 6-6 righthander: Extending his outings, and developing another pitch. Will that happen in the majors or minors?
Emmanuel Rodriguez is one of the Twins' top minor league prospects.

Twins takeaways from GM meetings: Rodriguez, trade candidates, coaching staff update

Emmanuel Rodriguez had an abbreviated season after being hit by the injury bug, but he showed promise as a disciplined hitter.
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa and his agent, Scott Boras, during a news conference at Target Field on Jan. 11, 2023. The Twins are up for sale, and Bo

Boras: New Twins ownership should bring in a 'very refreshed view'

The Pohlad family has the team up for sale and Scott Boras, Carlos Correa's agent, has some advice for whoever buys the team.
Christian Vázquez is due to make $10 million in 2025, and he seemingly would be a viable trade candidate for a team looking for help at catcher.

Twins expected to be active on the trade market during offseason

The Twins don't have a glaring positional roster hole besides first base. Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien are the leading internal candidates at first.
Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey met with the media during a season-ending news conference Oct. 13 at Target Field.

As Pohlad family explores sale, it's 'business as usual' for Twins front office

'My job is to continue to try to build the team the best we can,' Derek Falvey, the Twins' president of baseball operations, said as baseball's GM Meetings opened in Texas.
The Twins' Carlos Santana committed four errors in 1,094 total chances at first base this season, leading major league first basemen in fielding run v

Twins first baseman Santana wins first Gold Glove at age 38

Santana edged Ryan Mountcastle and Nathaniel Lowe for the American League honor, the Twins' first Gold Glove in seven years.
Pending free agent Carlos Santana played Gold Glove-level defense at first base for the Twins last season.

Twins offseason primer: Free agents, arbitration eligibles, Rule 5 candidates and possible trades

Free agents, trade prospects, Rule 5 protection candidates, arbitration eligibles and more ...
Alex Kirilloff was greeted in the Twins dugout after an April home run against the Dodgers at Target Field.

Twins' Alex Kirilloff, plagued by injuries, retires from baseball at age 26

The Twins first baseman was never able to play an entire season in the major leagues because of injuries.
Royce Lewis was one of the Twins' young hitters who slumped in the latter stages of the 2024 season.

Twins hope 33-year-old hitting coach Matt Borgschulte can develop young players

After a late-season batting slump plagued the team, they dismissed all their hitting coaches and brought back a familiar name.
Matt Borgschulte formerly worked for the Twins before joining the Orioles.

Twins hiring Borgschulte from Orioles as hitting coach

Matt Borgschule, 33, spent four seasons with the Twins minor league system before a three-year stint in Baltimore.
ew Twins owners might be searching for the elusive pot of gold under the rainbow at Target Field.

Familiar predicaments await new Twins owners

Developing revenue streams to increase payroll is never easy, especially for teams in the flyover country of the MLB.
Carl Pohlad, left, bought the Twins from Calvin Griffith in 1984 for $44 million.

Carl Pohlad and the Twins: Four decades of highs and lows

The second owner in Twins history, he oversaw two World Series championships but also took steps to sell or eliminate the team.
Twins players celebrate an August victory at Target Field.

Questions about the new Twins TV deal? Here are answers.

The Twins broadcasts will be produced by MLB, and here's how you will be able to watch.
Twins fans should be able to watch their favorite players like Royce Lewis, sliding into home during a game at Target Field in August, in every game u

Twins games will be televised by MLB in 2025, ending blackouts

The team's games next season will be produced and distributed by MLB and will be available on cable, satellite and via streaming.
Fans took a photo of TC Bear during TwinsFest in 2020 as Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, center, was interviewed by WCCO Radio's Dan Gladden and Chad Ha

Twins will return to WCCO Radio next season

The sides have a contract after there was some speculation the team would seek another broadcast partner.
Twins third baseman Royce Lewis, left, and second baseman Kyle Farmer console each other after Sunday's season-ending loss to the Orioles at Target Fi

Twins brass doesn't blame payroll cuts or trade deadline inactivity for late collapse

In the wake of the Twins' late-season tumble in the standings, owner Joe Pohlad and executive Derek Falvey downplayed the role a slashed payroll had on the team's collapse.
Twins infielders Royce Lewis, left, and Kyle Farmer console each other in the dugout at Target Field after the team ended its season with a 6-2 loss t

Joe Pohlad says Falvey, Baldelli will be back with Twins in 2025

The Twins' leaders will be judged on their entire body of work and not just the final six weeks of the 2024 season, which concluded with a 6-2 loss to the Orioles.
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa reacts after his flyout during the fourth inning Friday night against the Orioles.

'This will bother me forever': Inside the Twins clubhouse after late-season collapse

Players were left to lament what happened over the final six weeks of the season that cost the Twins a playoff berth, with Carlos Correa blaming himself for missing two months and Royce Lewis saying he ran out of gas.
Twins righthander Zebby Matthews (52) reacts after a two-run home run by the Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn during the first inning Saturday at Target Field.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli responds to the 'Fire Rocco' chants at Target Field

"The fans, I think, have a right to feel almost any way they choose," Rocco Baldelli said of the chants calling for his dismissal following the Twins' playoff-less season.
The Twins' Byron Buxton (25) celebrates a home run Wednesday in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins.

Down early, Twins rally for 8-3 win over the Marlins

Minnesota remains playoff long shot as Kansas City and Detroit also won.
The Twins' Carlos Correa reacts after striking out during Tuesday's loss to the Marlins at Target Field.

Correa sends cryptic postgame message to younger Twins teammates after Tuesday loss

Shortstop Carlos Correa said, in part, "at the end of the day, everybody has to figure it out on their own." He did not elaborate when asked if he was calling out any players in particular.
The Twins' Byron Buxton scores from second base on a single by Royce Lewis in the third inning Tuesday night at Target Field. It was the Twins' only r

Slumping Twins lose 4-1 to Marlins, and frustration is clear

Minnesota fell to the last-place Miami Marlins on Tuesday night and is two games behind the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals in the AL wild-card race.
Max Kepler's injuries will force him to miss the remainder of the Twins' regular season.

Longest-tenured Twins player will miss rest of regular season

Max Kepler's injuries might spell the end of his career in Minnesota.
The Twins' Brooks Lee hits a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at Target Field.

Lee's career-best five RBI help Twins beat Reds to avoid sweep

Brooks Lee hit a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning and added a three-run triple in the seventh as the Twins defeated Cincinnati 9-2 on Sunday.
The Twins' Byron Buxton rounds the bases Friday night after hitting a home run in his first game back from the injured list.

Baldelli: Correa, Buxton to miss some Twins games over season's final weeks

Both Twins stars were just activated from the injured list after long absences, but the team will continue to be careful with them.
Twins relief pitcher Louie Varland walks back to the dugout after giving up six earned runs in the fourth inning against the Reds on Saturday.

Twins blown out by Reds for eighth loss in 11 games

Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis are all on the active roster again, but it didn't do much to help the plummeting Twins, who have been outscored 19-5 in two losses to Cincinnati.
Carlos Correa was an American League All-Star at midseason, but has been out of the lineup until Saturday.

Carlos Correa skips rehab assignment, returns to Twins: 'I feel as ready as I can be'

The veteran shortstop has been out since the All-Star break because of plantar fasciitis.
Elly De La Cruz celebrates with Reds third base coach J.R. House after hitting a grand slam during the seventh inning Friday at Target Field.

Elly De La Cruz grand slam sinks Twins as Reds roll 8-4

Elly De La Cruz grand slam sinks Twins as Reds roll 8-4
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa in May.

Twins shortstop Carlos Correa will return from injured list Saturday

The All-Star has not played since the All-Star break because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Derek Bender was a sixth-round draft pick by the Twins in 2024 out of Coastal Carolina.

Twins cut minor league catcher after he aids opponent in elimination game

Derek Bender, a sixth-round draft pick out of Coastal Carolina, was tipping players off about what pitches were coming.
The Twins' Jose Miranda is tagged out at home by Royals catcher Freddy Fermin after trying to score on Trevor Larnach's double during the first inning

Rocco Baldelli blasts Twins for 'unprofessional series' after shutout loss to Royals

Jose Miranda was thrown out at home in the first inning for the Twins, who didn't have another runner reach third base during a 2-0 loss at Kansas City. Minnesota was swept in the three-game series.
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa runs to first base in May at Target Field.

Correa is not expected to rejoin Twins on homestand

The Twins' Carlos Correa told Fox that he felt better when he ran at Target Field in the past few days, but there are no immediate plans to begin a rehab assignment.
Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober (17) delivers to a Royals batter during the first inning Saturday in Kansas City.

Twins lose to Royals after decision to remove pitcher Ober backfires

Ober gave up just one hit through seven scoreless innings, but Kansas City scored four runs off the Twins bullpen to push Minnesota further back in the standings.
Simeon Woods Richardson has proved the most, making 24 starts this year, but his velocity dipped in his last two outings after surpassing 130 innings

Where Twins' pitching coach wants to see growth from rookie starters

In the final weeks of the season, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli focused most on current improvement over long-term growth.
The Royals' Kyle Isbel beats the tag by Twins catcher Christian Vázquez to score on a double by Tommy Pham during the third inning Friday in Kansas C

Twins drop to last wild-card spot, slip behind Royals in standings after 5-0 loss

The Twins, who have scored more than four runs just once in their last nine games, were shut out for the ninth time this season.
Twins relief pitcher Griffin Jax has thrown his sweeper 37% of the time this year, a drop from throwing it for 52.8% of his pitches in 2023 and 48.4%

Twins reliever Jax at his best when throwing his best pitch less often

Griffin Jax is throwing his best pitch, his sweepy slider, less than ever, throwing his fastball and changeup more often and bringing back a curveball he didn't use last year.
Edouard Julien, right, is greeted at home plate after his three-run home run in the second inning Thursday against the Rays.

Twins beat Tampa Bay 4-3 behind home runs from Edouard Julien, Matt Wallner

Pablo López had his long scoreless streak end, but he picked up the victory as the teams split the four-game series in St. Petersburg.
Byron Buxton is unlikely to join the Twins this weekend after suffering an injury setback.

Byron Buxton has setback on rehab assignment; Twins put Max Kepler on injured list

DaShawn Keirsey was called up from Class AAA St. Paul to replace Kepler on the roster.
Twins reliever Louie Varland reacts as the Rays' Yandy Diaz rounds the bases after his two-run home run during the fourth inning of Tampa Bay's 9-4 vi

Louie Varland's ugly fourth inning epitomizes Twins' struggles in 9-4 loss to Rays

The eight runs Louie Varland allowed in 2⅓ innings were a career high, and sloppy defense contributed to the Twins' 11th loss in their past 16 games.
Royce Lewis will get some playing time at second base as Twins manager Rocco Baldelli looks for more versatility for his lineups.

Inside the Twins' decision to give a hesitant Royce Lewis playing time at second base

Manager Rocco Baldelli understands the discomfort, but the team needs to get some flexibility from players, he said.
Twins starter David Festa pitches against the Rays during the fourth inning Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Festa allowed only two runs in five inning

Twins fall to Rays 2-1 despite David Festa's solid pitching

The Twins defense didn't help David Festa escape the fourth inning with a lead, and the offense didn't capitalize on scoring opportunities in Minnesota's sixth loss in nine games.
Louie Varland is 0-5 with the Twins this season, and could move to the bullpen in September.

Louie Varland rejoins Twins, with an adjustable role for rest of the season

The righthanded pitcher, who could be a starter or reliever, is expected to remain with the Twins during the final month.
Brooks Lee (72) celebrates with third base coach Tommy Watkins after his solo home run off Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger in the eighth inning of th

Bullpen preserves narrow lead, helps Twins nip Rays 5-4

While five relievers combined to get the final 16 outs, Trevor Larnach and Brooks Lee sparked the offense with homers.
The Twins' Byron Buxton runs out of the batter's box after a hit against the Cleveland Guardians on Aug. 9.

Twins' Buxton starts rehab assignment; Rodriguez promoted to St. Paul

Byron Buxton began a rehab assignment with the Class AAA St. Paul Saints on Monday. He has been on the 10-day injured list since Aug. 15 with right hip inflammation.
Twins right fielder Matt Wallner tracks down this fly ball against the Braves on Wednesday. Two night later, he made an even better play against the B

Wallner's laser throw from right field keeps Twins out of trouble

Matt Wallner's fourth outfield assist of the season nabbed Toronto's Spencer Horwitz as he attempted to stretch a single to a double Friday.
Twins starting pitcher Pablo López threw 7⅔ shutout innings, extending his scoreless streak to a career-best 20⅔ innings.

Pablo López extends scoreless streak to 20⅔ innings in Twins' victory over Blue Jays

Following Friday night's 2-0 victory, Pablo López has posted a 1.92 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break.
Twins relief pitcher Jorge Alcala stands on the mound as the Cardinals' Brendan Donovan, back right, rounds the bases after hitting a home run on Aug.

Twins' Alcala says he feels well despite August struggles out of bullpen

The righthander had been one of the Twins' most effective relievers until recently, but he credits batters for their success.
Twins starter Pablo López has a 2.25 ERA over seven starts since the All-Star break, using biomechanics spearheaded by Martijn Verhoeven to keep cons

Twins starting pitching thriving post All-Star break with help of stick figures

Aided by Martijn Verhoeven, stick figure animations and biomechanics have become a big help for Pablo López, Twins starting pitchers
Twins second baseman Edouard Julien fails to make a play on a ninth-inning infield single by the Cardinals' Nolan Arenado. Later that inning, Julien m

Twins blow ninth-inning lead, fall to Cardinals 3-2 after Julien's costly error

Twins second baseman Edouard Julien's throw into left field gave St. Louis a scoring threat that it capitalized on with Lars Nootbaar's two-out, two-run single.
“The first at-bat in our 6:40, 6:10 games, it’s so hard to see,” Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach said. “I don’t think people understand. I r

Home night games an extra challenge for Twins hitters

Larnach, Castro among those saying it's difficult to see at first pitch of the Twins' night games at Target Field.
Twins starting pitcher Pablo López threw a blistering fastball Saturday night against the St. Louis Cardinals and his former fellow ace, Sonny Gray.

López outpitches former teammate Gray as Twins blank Cardinals 6-0

Pablo López pitched seven scoreless innings to outshine former teammate Sonny Gray, Trevor Larnach homered twice, and the Twins beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, on the injured list since the team returned from the All-Star break, still is working toward running at full speed.

Correa moving 'on the right track' but not expected to rejoin Twins this month

Twins shortstop Carlos Correa has not played since before the All-Star break because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
The Twins' Max Kepler is forced out while attempting to score off a fielder's choice hit by the Twins' Willi Castro as Cardinals catcher Willson Contr

Walks haunt Twins during 6-1 loss to Cardinals in rough start to nine-game homestand

The Twins offense failed to build on a second-inning rally and didn't produce a hit after the third inning, allowing St. Louis to pull away.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Sonny Gray in the dugout after being pulled from the game in the fifth inning.

Sonny Gray reflects on time with Twins, leaving in free agency

Sonny Gray, now with the St. Louis Cardinals, was appreciative of his two seasons with the Twins, recording a 16-13 record and a 2.90 ERA in 56 starts while helping the Twins to their first postseason series victory in 21 years.
Bobby Witt Jr., right, celebrates his solo home run with Royals teammate Vinnie Pasquantino during the third inning Wednesday at Target Field.

Twins fall to Royals 4-1, but happy with winning homestand vs. AL Central rivals

The Twins finished their seven-game homestand with a 4-3 record against Cleveland and Kansas City.
Byron Buxton was unavailable to play in Wednesday's series finale against the Royals, two days after he left a game because of right hip discomfort. T

Hip pain keeps Byron Buxton out of Twins lineup

An MRI revealed no structural damage, but the veteran center fielder was on the bench Wednesday.
Twins starter Zebby Matthews throws a pitch against the Royals in the the fifth inning Tuesday at Target Field.

Twins roll past Royals 13-3 in Zebby Matthews' major league debut

Zebby Matthews, 24, gave up five hits and two runs in five innings to help the Twins secure a series victory over the Royals.
Twins center fielder Byron Buxton celebrates the first of his two home runs Sunday against Cleveland at Target Field.

Twins receive good news on Byron Buxton; Louie Varland expected to start vs. Royals

Twins center fielder Byron Buxton had an MRI that came back clean, the team announced.
The Twins' Willi Castro hits a three-run home run against the Royals in the second inning Monday at Target Field.

Twins top Royals 8-3 but see Byron Buxton exit game

A six-run second inning helped the Twins to victory, but a team already missing Carlos Correa and Brooks Lee because of injuries watched Byron Buxton leave with right hip discomfort.
Zebby Matthews pitches for the St. Paul Saints, his third minor league team during the 2024 season.

Twins promoting pitching prospect Zebby Matthews to face Kansas City Royals

Righthander Zebby Matthews has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in baseball after starting the season at Class A-Advanced Cedar Rapids.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli talks to WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman in January 2020.

Twins exploring options as radio contract with WCCO expires at end of 2024 season

Twins President Dave St. Peter said radio remains a key part of baseball, and the team will decide where its games can be found in the coming months.
Minnesota Twins prospect Luke Keaschall, left, chats with Nelson Cruz during batting practice for the 2024 MLB Futures Game at Globe Life Field in Jul

Highly rated Twins prospect Luke Keaschall set to undergo season-ending surgery

The team's representative at the Futures Game will have Tommy John surgery.
The Twins' Max Kepler grounds out to Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee on Opening Day at Target Field.

Guardians lead Twins by 3½ games. The division rivals play four this weekend.

The next seven games could be vital for the AL Central race, but some Twins focus on the marathon, not the sprint.
Shortstop Carlos Correa won't be available for the Twins' four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians this weekend as he continues to recover fro

Twins won't have Correa for Guardians showdown

The veteran shortstop is still recovering from plantar fasciitis as the two AL Central rivals square off.
Twins trainer Nick Paparesta walks starting pitcher Joe Ryan off the field Wednesday at Wrigley Field. Ryan experienced right triceps tightness and ha

Twins blasted 8-2 by Cubs, lose starting pitcher Joe Ryan

Reliever Trevor Richards walked five of the eight batters he faced in the matinee loss.
Twins starting pitcher Pablo López throws during the first inning against the Cubs on Tuesday in Chicago.

Twins fall to Cubs 7-3, ending five-game winning streak

Cubs lefthander Shota Imanaga held the Twins to two hits in seven innings, outdueling Pablo López, who struck out only two batters.
The Twins' Royce Lewis hits an RBI double against the New York Mets on July 31. He hit a two-run homer against the Cubs on Tuesday night.

How Twins standout Lewis developed a one-of-a-kind swing

Royce Lewis has a knack for doing things his Twins teammates and coaches have rarely seen, and that includes a subtly with his swing that he implemented after two knee surgeries.
Twins starting pitcher David Festa throws against the Cubs during the first inning Monday in Chicago.

Twins shut out Cubs 3-0 for fifth victory in a row

David Festa struck out a career-high nine across five scoreless innings in his fifth major league outing, and the Twins bullpen held off the Cubs in Minnesota's first visit to Wrigley Field since 2021.
Twins pitcher Cole Sands has come to rely on his cut fastball more this season, especially against lefthanded hitters.

Cole Sands thriving for Twins bullpen in second season as full-time reliever

Cole Sands' effectiveness and mix of pitches make him suitable for nearly any situation for Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.
Twins righthander Bailey Ober had another strong start Saturday night, giving up two runs in seven innings against the White Sox.

Ober, Castro help Twins send White Sox to 19th straight loss

Bailey Ober pitched seven strong innings and Willi Castro capped a 13-pitch at-bat with a two-run single as the Twins defeated lowly Chicago 6-2.
Twins great Joe Mauer speaks Saturday night at Target Field during a ceremony honoring his induction last month into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Twins announce plans to install Mauer statue outside Target Field during 2025 season

The Twins honored catching great Joe Mauer on Saturday evening after his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame last month.
The Twins' Carlos Correa runs against the San Francisco Giants on July 12. The shortstop has been on the IL because of foot pain.

Correa, still recovering from foot injury, reacts to Twins' quiet trade deadline

Shortstop Carlos Correa is staying upbeat despite a longer stint on the IL than he wanted and despite the team's inactivity in making deals.