As the Rotation Turns

As a Twins fan, one comes to expect certain things. Things such as clinging to underperforming players well past their expiration date (everyone remember Tony Batista?). Thus, it was stunning to see the Twins actually release Sir Sidney "Hit Me Again" Ponson as early as mid-May; TBL had projected him getting the boot in late June, shortly after hordes of belligerent fans burned TR in effigy on the plaza.

Now, in another startling move made whilst the season is still young, Ramon Ortiz, who was the main subject of yesterday's post, has been demoted to the bullpen. Ortiz will be assuming the long-relief role formerly occupied by Matt Guerrier, while Guerrier (who has distinguished himself by actually getting batters out) will be filling in for Jesse Crain, Glen Perkins and Dennys Reyes in late-innings short relief. There are, of course, a couple of other relievers--fresh from Rochester--out there in place of the three injured, but Guerrier will be the one who gets trotted out there when the game is close.

Someone will be called up on Thursday to replace Ortiz in the rotation and make Friday's start in Oakland. The smart money is on Kevin Slowey. No word yet on who will be sent down to make room on the roster.

Is anyone else all a-twitter to see Slowey pitch? TBL is!