Twins Spring Training: Herrmann, Pressly, Tonkin Optioned to Rochester; Hicks to Start in Center Field

Herrmann, Pressly, Tonkin Optioned to Rochester

On the heels of the release of Matt Guerrier, the Twins have announced that Chris Herrmann, Ryan Pressly, and Michael Tonkin have been optioned to Triple-A Rochester. First to mind: the Red Wings are going to have a lot of Major League talent on the roster this season. It could be a good summer for Rochester.

As far as catching is concerned, Herrmann's move means that the Twins will indeed be keeping Josmil Pinto on the roster and taking him north. Whether he starts, splits time with Kurt Suzuki, or is a straight backup, is yet to be determined.

Pressly is a bit of a surprise move if we're going solely off of his status as an incumbent, while Tonkin was having a good spring but was always looking at an uphill battle to make a bullpen chalk full of deserving candidates. Keeping Samuel Deduno on board in a relief capacity made that battle untenable. Right now, it looks like that final spot in the bullpen is down to Caleb Thielbar or Scott Diamond.

Hicks Takes Center Field

It was announced yesterday that Aaron Hicks would be the team's starting center fielder, which is a position for which - at the start of spring training - nobody expected him to be nominated. The move in all likelihood means Alex Presley will be the team's roaming outfielder, and in conjunction with Eduardo Escobar and the backup catcher means the Twins are looking at Jason Kubel, Chris Parmelee, and Chris Colabello to split between designated hitter and the final bench role.

Kubel has always had the edge for that job, and I'd be surprised if he isn't added to the roster. Colabello could move to Rochester without repercussion, but Parmelee is out of options and would need to be exposed to waivers.

And just like that, the Twins are two small decisions away from their Opening Day roster.