Recent content from Phil Miller
Twins catcher Christian Vázquez hopes offense can 'pick it up' after rough season
A strong defensive player, Vázquez had one of the worst on-base percentages in MLB in 2024.
Twins' France brings peculiar skill to his new team: He's mastered the HBP
The first baseman holds the Mariners' record for getting hit by pitches, and it happens to him at a rate never seen in major league history.
When Twins' Morris is pitching, he's entirely available for comment
The righthander has a habit of talking to himself — pointedly — that catches the ears of his teammates and coaches.
Twins' Correa eyes his old Astros from a distance
Houston is testing his former double-play partner Jose Altuve in the outfield. "That little man can do anything," Correa said. "He'll be fine."
Twins' approach to stealing bases, problematic to some, is a math problem for team officials
"Taking that chance doesn't have as much upside as we probably wish it did," Derek Falvey said in explaining the team's stay-on-first strategy.
Twins plan to give Bader, a Gold Glove winner in center field, work in left
Although Harrison Bader will likely play in center field when Byron Buxton is given a day off, Bader more likely will play in left when the Twins face lefthanded starters.
Twins' Lewis looking to turn the page to a healthier 2025
Twins third baseman Royce Lewis, who battled injuries and a late-season slump last year, doesn't want to talk 'about health stuff.'
Ober knows to put poor starts — however few — way behind him
Bailey Ober is a cornerstone of the Twins starting rotation and has gradually gotten better, moving past rare bad outings.
The most peculiar knuckleball in history enthuses the Twins coaches
Cory Lewis' knuckler reached 87 mph in a spring training exhibition. The fastest one ever measured in the majors went 84.2.
Twins approach spring training's balls-and-strikes challenge system enthusiastically
Batters, pitchers and catchers will be allowed to ask for review of pitch calls, but there's a limit, so emotions matter.
More than 900 days after he last pitched in a game, Twins prospect keeps it optimistic
Matt Canterino threw a fastball 95 mph on training camp's first day, after bouts with forearm, elbow and rotator cuff injuries.
Rocco Baldelli Q&A: 'I honestly love the spot we're in,' the Twins manager says of 2025
He cited "capable players everywhere you look" and said changes will be in place as a result of last season's swoon.
Twins sign former All-Star France to help fill the void at first base
Ty France, signed to a nonguaranteed deal, gives the Twins another righthanded-hitting option at first base.
Luke Keaschall, Andrew Morris among non-roster invitees to Twins spring training
Keaschall and Morris are two of the team's top minor league prospects
Twins promotional schedule includes '65 reunion, bobbleheads of Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton
Two concerts are also on the slate, with artists to be determined
Ryan's exciting offseason includes travel and something more: A return to good health
The Twins righthander revealed there's no longer any sign of the shoulder strain that ended his 2024 season.
Details of Twins' broadcast streaming partnership with MLB are revealed
The package can be purchased by the month or for the season, and it can be Twins games or nearly every major league game.
Twins name television broadcast crew for Twins.TV as streaming plans take shape
Cory Provus returns as play-by-play announcer, with Justin Morneau the lead analyst and Audra Martin the on-field reporter.
Smalley announces that he's retiring from Twins broadcasts
A former standout shortstop for the team, he announced Wednesday on social media that he is retiring from a broadcast career that lasted a quarter century.
Report: Phoenix Suns part-owner considering bid to buy Twins
Justin Ishbia, a private equity billionaire, is already into the NBA and WNBA in a big-spending way. Bloomberg News said he has an eye on baseball.
Twins preparing for MLB winter meetings, big moves unlikely under Derek Falvey
Only once under Falvey's leadership have the Twins announced any significant roster moves during the winter meetings, and that came seven years ago.
Twins fill out coaching roster, adding a hitting coach with ties to their past success
Trevor Amicone, who worked with James Rowson in the minors, will be an assistant hitting coach. Several moves Thursday complete manager Rocco Baldelli's 11-man staff.
Twins sign reliever Alex Speas to minor league deal
A former second-round pick of the Rangers, Alex Speas has pitched in four major league games.
Twins agree to deals with Brock Stewart, Michael Tonkin and Justin Topa at the MLB non-tender deadline
The eight Twins headed for arbitration are Royce Lewis, Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, Bailey Ober, Ryan Jeffers, Willi Castro, Griffin Jax and Trevor Larnach.
Twins protect minor league pitchers Raya and Adams from Rule 5 draft
By adding Marco Raya and Travis Adams to the 40-man roster, the team made certain they won't lose them in three weeks.
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.
After dust settles on 2024 season, a player-by-player look at next year's Twins roster
Questions abound on starting rotation and bullpen, free agents like Max Kepler and Kyle Farmer, promising rookies and arbitration decisions.
Questions about the Pohlads selling the Twins? We have answers.
Why? To whom? When? Will they stay in Minnesota? We get it. Take a look at the details.
Pohlad family looks to sell Minnesota Twins
The franchise is likely worth $1.5 billion, 40 years after Carl Pohlad paid $44 million to buy it from Calvin Griffith.
General Manager Thad Levine parts ways with Twins
"I kind of liken myself to Mary Poppins — the kids know how to clean up their rooms now and take their medicine. They don't need someone singing in the background to do it."
Twins fire four coaches after season-ending hitting slump
Hitting coaches David Popkins, Rudy Hernandez and Derek Shomon were dismissed, along with infield coach Tony Diaz.
Bally Sports North, Diamond close to finalizing divorce with Twins
Diamond Sports Group, parent company of the Bally-branded regional sports network, told a federal bankruptcy judge its new plan for reorganization currently includes only one MLB team: the Atlanta Braves.
Twins pitcher Griffin Jax: Reliever or starter?
After another strong season out of the bullpen, Jax still has ambitions of starting games.
Twins won't shrink payroll further in 2025, regardless of TV situation
The Twins slashed $25 million off their 2023 payroll at the request of owner Joe Pohlad, but a team source said that won't happen again next year.
Twins eliminated from playoff contention with 7-2 loss to Orioles
Former Twins farmhand Cade Povich shut down a Twins team that could have remained alive with a victory.
Twins pitching staff has had two 20-strikeout games in the span of a week
Both games were heavy on relievers and went extra innings, but they broke the old record of 19 set by Johan Santana and Joe Nathan in 2007.
Twins lose to Marlins, near elimination from MLB playoffs
The Twins had chance after chance, and finally caved in after 13 innings at Target Field.
Twins elect to end rookie Simeon Woods Richardson's season
The righthander came up big when the Twins needed him this year, but he has thrown 147 innings and has had a 5.91 ERA in his past 11 starts.
Twins in free fall heading into the final week of the regular season
The Twins have lost 21 of their past 32 games and are on the outside of the American League wild card race.
Disastrous doubleheader at Boston leaves Twins on outside of playoff picture
The Twins were blown out by the Red Sox twice in one day, losing 8-1 and 9-3 to leave them a game behind the Tigers and Royals for an American League wild-card spot.
Injured Topa, Paddack could pitch for Twins in final six games of regular season
Justin Topa hasn't pitched all season in the major leagues because of a knee injury, and Chris Paddack has missed most of the second half because of a forearm strain.
Twins' López pummeled in Game 1 of doubleheader as Boston's Casas hits three homers
The Twins at least temporarily fell out of a playoff spot after getting blown out by the Red Sox to open a split doubleheader at Fenway Park.
Twins-Red Sox rained out, will play split doubleheader Sunday
Pablo López will face Kutter Crawford in the first game while Zebby Matthews is matched against Nick Pivetta in the nightcap as the Twins try to hang on to a wild card spot.
Seeking a bullpen arm, Twins recall Brent Headrick in place of Ronny Henriquez
The Twins called up a lefthander who has yet to appear in the majors this year, demoting a young reliever who blew a two-run lead Wednesday.
Twins finally find offense in extra innings, beat Red Sox 4-2 in 12
Minnesota regains the lead for the final AL wild-card spot with the victory and a Tigers blowout loss.
With frustration mounting, Twins veterans call off rookie costumes for flight to Boston
"It's very safe to assume the vibe was going to be off if we went ahead with it," Pablo López said of dressing up rookies after the difficult series at Cleveland.
Twins held to three hits, lose 3-2 to Guardians in extra innings
The Twins lost three of the four games in the series in Cleveland, but still hold the last wild-card spot.
Ouch! Willi Castro sets Twins record for getting hit by pitches in a season
Because Castro crowds the plate, teams pitch him inside, and he's gotten on base 21 times via HBP
Twins can't hold lead as Guardians rally with three runs in 10th to win
Carlos Correa's two-run single in the 10th gave the Twins a two-run lead, but host Cleveland rallied for three runs off Ronny Henriquez to prevail 5-4 and send Minnesota to a crushing loss.
Twins' Manuel Margot extends his pinch-hit futility
Manuel Margot is 0-for-29 as a pinch-hitter for the Twins this season. It will be a major league record if he fails to get a pinch-hit the rest of the season.
Castro's two-run homer in eighth powers Twins to key win over Guardians
Willi Castro's two-run blast gave the Twins cushion in an important win at Cleveland as Minnesota tries to secure a playoff spot down the stretch of the season.
Twins' choice to demote Alcala came partly because of need for lengthier relief outings
The Twins' rookie-filled starting rotation had something to do with Jorge Alcala's demotion to Class AAA St. Paul, which became official Tuesday
Twins claim pitcher Irvin off waivers from Orioles, option Alcala
Cole Irvin has been a starter for part of his big league career but was designated for assignment by Baltimore.
Twins lose to Guardians 4-3 after Jax surrenders two-run homer in eighth
Pablo López completed six innings with a 3-1 lead, and Griffin Jax rescued him from a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, but Cleveland rebounded to move to 7½ games ahead of the Twins.
As Twins enter home stretch, Wallner looks to go the distance
The Forest Lake native has been a standout at the plate and in the field during the second half of the season.
Twins' Byron Buxton to be activated Friday
Center fielder Byron Buxton will be available for a home series against the Reds after missing one month because of a sore right hip.
Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis emerge from slumps to power Twins past Angels
Along with young infielders Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis finding their grooves, the Twins plan to activate Byron Buxton on Friday.
On land, in the air, it's a family reunion for Twins pitcher Griffin Jax at Target Field
As his younger brother and sister-in-law streaked across the sky in fighter jets in memory of 9/11, other relatives packed stands.
Twins top Angels 10-5 to halt four-game skid
Kyle Farmer, Matt Wallner and Carlos Santana each homered, and the Twins scored as many runs in the first five innings as they had in their last five games combined to beat the Angels.
Lewis, mired in an 0-for-20 slump, is held out of Twins lineup
Royce Lewis, who helped fuel the team earlier this season, was missing from the Twins' starting lineup for the first time in nearly three weeks Tuesday night.
Twins fall to Angels 6-2 for fourth consecutive loss
The Angels, the American League's second-worst team, scored twice before David Festa recorded an out, and two Los Angeles players hitting below .200 for the season connected on two-run homers.
Twins' Carlos Correa says plantar fasciitis treatment has brought pain but also gains
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa's tears-inducing treatment for his foot problem is working, he says, and "you might see me playing baseball again very soon."
Pablo López will be Twins' nominee for MLB's Roberto Clemente Award
The nominees are players, one from each team, who are active in their communities during the season.
Twins get swept by Braves, continuing futility against National League teams
Despite a stellar start from David Festa, a bullpen collapse in Minnesota's 5-1 loss made the Braves the eighth consecutive NL team to win a series from the Twins.
Well-traveled reliever Tonkin hopes he's here to stay with Twins
Relief pitcher Michael Tonkin, who is back with the Twins for a second stint this season and has also pitched for the Mets and Yankees in 2024, has a fan in manager Rocco Baldelli.
Twins make spirited comeback vs. Braves but fall apart in 10th for another loss
Jhoan Duran allowed four runs, three earned, in the 10th inning after the Twins rallied from a four-run deficit. It's the Twins' seventh loss in the past nine games.
Twins DFA Trevor Richards, decide to go rest of the season without Joe Ryan on the mound
Trevor Richards, a trade deadline acquisition, was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Joe Ryan, meanwhile, was placed on the 60-day injured list, which ended his season.
Twins lose to Braves 10-6 as Ober gives up nine runs in two innings
A storm caused a rain delay at Target Field after Atlanta made it 9-1 in the second inning, and the Twins couldn't catch up after play resumed in their sixth loss in eight games.
Twins' Buxton expected to go on rehab assignment with Saints this week
Center fielder Byron Buxton, out since Aug. 12 because of a sore hip, won't be activated until the Twins are sure he can play the outfield again, manager Rocco Baldelli said.
Twins' López looking forward to facing Cardinals' Gray
The two All-Stars from 2024 are scheduled to be on the mound in the same game at Target Field on Saturday.
Twins use seven-run fourth inning to rout Padres 11-4 in series finale
The Twins offense came alive with 18 hits and salvaged the final game of a three-game series at San Diego.
Twins aren't eager to overextend Griffin Jax in bullpen
The righthander has been one of the most effective relievers in the majors this season, but Rocco Baldelli does not want to wear him down.
Another bullpen meltdown means Twins have lost three in a row
Reliever Steven Okert gave away a two-run lead in 10 pitches as Jurickson Profar's three-run eighth-inning homer lifted the Padres to a 7-5 victory.
Twins' Buxton tests right hip in hopes of returning to roster this week
The center fielder came out of the Twins' game Aug. 12 with a sore hip that resulted from, doctors believe, scar tissue that built up after a similar injury in 2022.
Twins fall to Padres 5-3 as first two MLB walks come back to haunt Zebby Matthews
The rookie, noted for his control, issued his first two big-league walks, and both came around to score on Jackson Merrill's three-run double.
