Tyler Duffey returns to the Twin Cities as an Iowa Cub

By mere coincidence, former Twins reliever Tyler Duffey finds himself again on the town as a member of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on the identical weekend of the Twins’ residence opener. Ought to they meet up right here once more in simply over a month, it is going to be by plan.

Launched by the Twins final August after 11 years within the group, together with eight years as a useful member of the bullpen, the 32-year-old Duffey signed with the Cubs within the offseason with a purpose of getting again to the large leagues. Extra particularly, when the Cubs go to Goal Subject on Could 12 for the beginning of a three-game sequence, Duffey’s purpose is to be a part of the touring celebration.

“I fell into a spot the place I’m actually comfy,” Duffey stated previous to the Saints’ 6-2 win over the Cubs on Friday at CHS Subject. “They’ve sort of stated, ‘Simply be your self.’ You wish to go the place you will have a chance. They’ve numerous younger guys have who’ve been referred to as up, however they don’t have an enormous veteran presence, particularly within the bullpen. No person needs to be in Triple-A. It’s enjoyable, you’re taking part in baseball, however on the similar time you wish to be within the large leagues.”

Duffey has saved in contact with the numerous buddies he has on the Twins, so there was no must do any catching up this week. However his return did present Duffey the chance to do one thing he had by no means finished earlier than: spend time in St. Paul. He pitched Thursday night time, and issues didn’t go as deliberate. He walked 4 straight batters within the Saints’ six-run eighth inning.

The Twins launched Duffey after he struggled to an ERA of 4.91 in 40 appearances. Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli spoke on the time about how emotional it was for him to have to interrupt the information to such a preferred and established member of the workforce. That emotion ran each methods.

“I left,” Duffey stated. “I didn’t go up and say bye to individuals; it wasn’t going to be enjoyable. (The Twins) had been shifting on, and I simply needed to get out of there. However as I defined to my spouse, numerous guys aren’t so lucky to have so lengthy in a single place earlier than they expertise this.

“Some guys undergo it earlier than they even get to the large leagues. It’s a part of the sport, however you by no means wish to be the one to expertise it. When you do, it sucks.”

Duffey attributes his downfall final season to a superb old school droop.

“Finding wasn’t the place I needed it to be,” he stated of his pitches. “And there have been occasions that it appeared like if I threw a strike it was a house run. I appeared on the stats at one level and 40% of the fly balls I allowed had been residence runs. It was a fluky factor, and it occurs.

“Guys simply typically have dangerous years. (Former Twins reliever Ryan) Pressly involves thoughts earlier than he was traded (in 2018). Each fastball he threw that yr went out of the park. You go searching and there may be loads of proof. Everyone in some unspecified time in the future has a tough one. It’s bouncing again from it and shifting on.

“For me there was nothing to vary besides a change of surroundings.”

Briefly

Louie Varland made his first begin of the season for the Saints and struck out 9 in 5 innings of labor to earn the victory. … Mark Contreras and Hernan Perez homered for the Saints, who’ve hit 12 homers of their 5 video games this season. … Reliever Brock Stewart bought the final 4 outs for the Saints, all by strikeout. He has struck out all seven batters he has confronted this season.