Recent content from Phil Miller
Cardinals rough up Pablo López early, hold on to beat Twins 5-3
Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Arenado homered for St. Louis in the season opener.
Rocco Baldelli structures Twins lineup to avoid using too many pinch hitters
The manager used a pinch hitter 92 times, most in the majors, over the past two seasons before the seventh inning.
Twins-Cardinals Opening Day game delayed because of rain
First pitch is now set for 4:45 p.m. at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Twins players arrive at Opening Day, whether first-timers or familiar with it, bearing emotions
Pride is one common ingredient, either felt or caused. "You always want to make Grandma proud," as Pablo López put it.
Correa sees success ahead for Twins, with a familiar caveat: 'If we stay on the field'
Byron Buxton is a key figure, and it appears he exited spring training in his best health in years.
The Twins used 154 different lineups last season. How does that happen?
"I guess if you do it enough, it just becomes the norm," says Trevor Larnach, who is used to moving around.
Can Twins lineup improve in 2025?
Injuries, slumps and other issues plagued hitters in 2024; will that change?
Twins' Lee will open season on injured list after back acts up
Infielder Brooks Lee woke up with his back not feeling right Thursday, and he hasn't played since.
In an extraordinary baseball life that long involved only the Twins, Kepler takes cuts for the Phillies
The outfielder batted against former teammates Friday and talked about how he'd have preferred a different conclusion.
Jose Miranda competes at first base, but he'll be needed at third
Miranda has expanded his versatility as a corner infielder.
A tale of two Twins: Will Castellano and Gasper make the Opening Day roster?
A Rule 5 pick and a "third catcher" had different results on Tuesday in Florida.
Twins' Lewis has moderate hamstring strain, downplays severity
The third baseman will miss Opening Day but said he doesn't expect to be out too long.
Twins.TV, brought to you by Major League Baseball, will offer its first sample Sunday
Cory Provus' second season of calling games from the television booth will be the first season of MLB presenting the product.
Woods Richardson impresses for Twins yet again vs. loaded spring lineup
The righthander has given up only one earned run in 11 innings in Grapefruit League play.
As Twins prepare for the season, they're also readying for the move north
The Twin Cities await major leaguers and minor leaguers both, families and athletes melding professional and personal lives.
Hottest hitter in Twins spring training is both unfamiliar and impossible to ignore
Jeferson Morales' numbers are the best in camp, and manager Rocco Baldelli is giving him extra time with the major leaguers.
Twins prospect who stands tall in height and energy shows his shortstop skills
Brandon Winokur, who at 6-6 is also being tested in the outfield, fielded flawlessly and had a hit and stolen base for the big-league team Tuesday.
Twins stay confident in Wallner despite another slow spring
Manager Rocco Baldelli maintains that Forest Lake native Matt Wallner can be one of the best offensive players in baseball.
OF prospect Rodriguez among Twins' first cuts of spring training
Emmanuel Rodriguez was sent to minor league camp along with pitchers Matt Canterino, Marco Raya and Travis Adams.
Leader of baseball players' union tells of concern about Twins' payroll
MLBPA head Tony Clark said the association hopes Minnesota is still "trying to be that last team standing" as the Pohlad family considers a sale.
Mickey Gasper may find a roster spot on the Twins, thanks to his versatility, and hitting
"All he's done is hit," manager Rocco Baldelli said of the new switch-hitting acquisition from the Red Sox.
Ober makes variety his strategy in Twins' Grapefruit League win
The righthander used six different pitches on his first seven deliveries, "just seeing what happens."
Twins pitcher Ryan has strong return from shoulder injury
Righthander Joe Ryan missed the final seven weeks of the 2024 season, but his spring debut against the Yankees was successful.
Spring training games seem meaningless — except for those trying to make the team
Players like Erasmo Ramírez and Kody Funderburk are making every pitch count.
Buxton counts his blessings, and that has him planning to count the Twins as his only team
The outfielder's attitude sums up this way: "How many teams did you play for? Just one. I like that."
Twins' top minor leaguers deal with injuries, but big league roster is mostly unscathed
Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Marco Raya, all top 10 team prospects, have minor issues.
Twins reliever Sands refuses to bask and chooses a healthy fret instead
The righthander said he remains surprised by his success last season — "Amazing, right?" — and is determined to improve further.
Twins pitcher López reconsiders his angle of attack
The righthander's new starting spot has his right heel on the third base edge of the rubber, nearly opposite his previous approach.
Traveling Twins witness, and barely avoid, frightening traffic incident
Matt Wallner's evasive driving kept him and Edouard Julien safe when a car crossed a median and flew over the vehicle in front of them, which was carrying reliever Jorge Alcala and his brother.
Twins outfield prospect builds up his fielding — and his possibilities
DaShawn Keirsey tracked one down against the Yankees on Tuesday, and manager Rocco Baldelli wants to know more.
Twins first baseman on his worst-in-the-majors fielding stats: Just watch
StatCast numbers from last season don't reflect his ability, Ty France said: "I'm proud of my defense."
Paddack makes the most of two-inning start for Twins
Out since last July because of a forearm strain, Twins pitcher Chris Paddack showed how far his arm has come Tuesday against the Rays.
Dad-hat fad proves players' biggest fans are also the littlest
Twins' children are welcome visitors, especially during spring training.
Twins' Blewett wants to continue making a positive impact
The righthander impressed when given an opportunity late last season, with a 1.77 ERA in 20⅓ major league innings.
After exploring Twins ownership, Justin Ishbia turns attention to White Sox
The Chicago-based billionaire had inquired about buying the Twins from the Pohlad family, according to news reports.
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.
