With two plays coming off the IL before today’s tilt against Chicago, the Minnesota Twins have optioned a pair to the taxi squad:
Jake Odorizzi and Alex Avila have been activated from the IL by the #MNTwins.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 16, 2020
Travis Blankenhorn and Randy Dobnak have been optioned to St. Paul.
Rejoining the roster are Jake Odorizzi and Alex Avila. Odorizzi, an All-Star in 2019, has pitched in just three games this season, taking a line drive off the ribs in his August 21 start that sent him to the IL. He has not yet lasted more than four innings in a start in 2020. Avila, after a hot start in a tiny sample size, has returned to his role as defensive specialist with a weak bat, slashing .167/.352/.262 over 20 games.
Odorizzi and Avila will serve as the starting battery tonight, as confirmed by the team.
The Twins have also announced the corresponding moves, optioning Randy Dobnak and Travis Blankenhorn to the taxi squad to make room for the returning veterans. Fan favorite and mustache aficionado Dobnak, after a blistering start that saw him sport a sub-1.00 ERA after four starts, has given up at least four runs in three of his last four, including yesterday’s loss. Blankenhorn debuted yesterday, going 1-3 with a double and a plunking.
Such goes the shuffle.