NEW YORK -- Taylor Rogers knew the date was coming. He didn’t know everything that was coming along with it. The Twins feted Rogers on Tuesday in honor of his reaching one of baseball’s most sacred milestones within the clubhouse: 10 years of Major League service time. Technically, he reached the number on Monday’s off-day, but he was honored in a pregame ceremony Tuesday. However, even though he of course knew the exact day, there were still some surprises in store. With the Blue Jays and his twin brother, Tyler, coming to Minnesota next week, Rogers had suggested that members of his family wait until then to come celebrate with him. It only made sense, he figured, to have everyone there at once. Manager Derek Shelton had other ideas. Shelton made sure that Rogers’ parents, his sister-in-law and his nephews were present to take in a special moment. And Tyler even got to be a part of it, too, via FaceTime. It all touched Rogers so much that he couldn’t make it all the way through his planned remarks. “I kind of told everybody that the coolest part was the acknowledgements from each guy, people around the league, kind of how the respect from your peers is looked at,” Rogers said. “That’s kind of what means the most about it. I was not expecting that aspect of it, that’s for sure. “I was doing pretty good and then I thanked my brother, and that’s when I decided to [stop].” |
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Rogers’ teammates and the organization set him up with a suite of lovely and personal gifts. He was given a personalized golf bag and a trip to Pebble Beach, where he said he’s never played before. He received a Rolex from the team’s principal owner, Tom Pohlad, a bottle of fine wine from his brother and a bottle of Ace of Spades champagne from Shelton. And making it all more meaningful was that it came with the same organization where Rogers began his Major League career. He was drafted in 2012 alongside Byron Buxton, who hit 10 years earlier this season. “I was just trying to chip away at the next milestone,” Rogers said. “Just trying to stay -- you want to get a debut, and then try to stay, stay a couple years and I don’t have to get a job right away. And then just trying to chip away at the milestones throughout the 10. And then obviously when last year ended and I knew I was close, I wanted to do it somewhere where I wanted to be. And that’s just … hell, I’ve got to be the luckiest guy around, starting in a place that I liked, playing with my brother for two years and then coming back to that place. That’s got to be a storybook thing.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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FESTA ON THE WAY BACK, BUT IN WHAT ROLE? |
Right-hander David Festa is getting closer to a return to the mound following a right shoulder injury in Spring Training. He’s slated to start throwing live batting practice this week, after which it will be time to start looking at rehabilitation assignments. As for the other question regarding Festa, that may be a developing situation as well. The Twins need bullpen help, and Festa’s combination of power stuff and ongoing health issues suggest he might be a fit in a relief role. General manager Jeremy Zoll indicated Wednesday that there may be clarity regarding Festa’s role in the near future. “I know the role conversation remains a relevant question,” Zoll said. “We’re going to have more to come probably next week on that.” |
Right-hander James Ellwanger (Twins' No. 16 prospect), the Twins’ third-round pick in last June’s Draft, is going to miss a couple of months with a right elbow sprain. Ellwanger was one of the most impressive pitchers in Minor League Spring Training, and was off to an excellent start for Single-A Fort Myers. But after a recent throwing session, he reported discomfort in his elbow. The good news, such as it is, is that an MRI did not indicate much new damage compared to the imaging on Ellwanger’s elbow prior to the Draft. As a result, the current course of action will be conservative treatment, with Ellwanger shut down for four to six weeks before throwing again. Surgery is not currently in the picture, though that can always change. |
TWINS HONORED FOR SUSTAINABILITY |
The Twins pride themselves on Target Field being one of the greenest ballparks around, and the club was recognized this week for sustainability. On Wednesday, which was Earth Day, the club announced that the it received five major sustainability honors: the 2025 Major League Baseball Green Glove Award, recertification at LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (the club’s MLB-best sixth LEED designation), and three Green Sports Alliance 2026 Play to Zero awards for Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Material Management. The Twins are also finalists for the Green Sports Alliance’s 2026 Innovation Award and Community Impact Award. |
AND, FINALLY, THE PLAYLIST |
You can probably spot the theme here. Y’all be kind and look out for each other, OK? R.E.M., “Leaving New York”
Run the Jewels, “Call Ticketron”
The Rolling Stones, “Shattered”
LCD Soundsystem, “New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down”
Matt and Kim, “Daylight” |
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