NEW YORK — On one side of the Citi Field visitor’s clubhouse, there was a balloon display as reliever Taylor Rogers celebrated 10 years of major league service time, a milestone that fewer than than 10% of players reach. On the other, there were two rookies, Kendry Rojas and Connor Prielipp, each in the major league clubhouse for the first time in their career.
“I wonder if they think this is what the show is like every day,” Rogers joked. “I remember being them that day. It wasn’t too far ago.”
The Twins added Rojas to their bullpen on Tuesday with fellow left-hander Kody Funderburk going on the paternity list. Prielipp has not been added to the active roster yet, but he is expected to start on Wednesday in place of Mick Abel, whom the Twins placed on the injured list on Monday.
Abel landed on the injured list with elbow inflammation that the Twins believe is minor. The Twins had imaging done on Sunday after Abel threw a bullpen and reported soreness.
“With a kid like that, with the capability of what he has, we would rather take the time than rush it,” manager Derek Shelton said.
And so, the Twins will get their first look at Prielipp, a second-round draft pick in 2022 and their top pitching prospect. The 25-year-old had a 2.30 ERA across 15 2/3 innings this season at Triple-A. Both Prielipp and Rojas found out the news on Sunday from Saints manager Brian Dinkelman.
“He just gave his after-the-game speech and then set it up like ‘Hey, the bus is leaving at this time tomorrow, except for these two, and then you guys are going on the plane to New York,” Prielipp said.
With the Twins leaving for New York on Monday, Prielipp had plenty of time to tells his friends and family, and prepare for the upcoming trip. They responded with “a lot of tears and a lot of joy.”
Rojas — whom the Twins acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline last year as part of the return for Louie Varland — said he was very surprised, especially because his start to this season was slightly delayed due to a hamstring injury. The southpaw has thrown in six innings for the Saints this season — all scoreless.
“It’s hard not to feel a little down after you go down with an injury, but I got a lot of support from my teammates and my support system, and here we are,” he said through teammate Pablo López, who was acting as an interpreter.
Shelton said it was a good fit for the Twins now to “get his feet wet.” Immediately, Rojas becomes the hardest-throwing pitcher in the Twins’ bullpen.
“It’s 97 from the left side, and the arm’s loose and it’s whippy. … I’m excited to get to watch this kid,” Shelton said. “It’s good to get him a short taste of the big leagues.”
The Twins also activated third baseman Royce Lewis from the injured list on Tuesday after a minimum stay. Lewis had a minor knee sprain and, while he thought he might have been able to play through it, the Twins didn’t want to take any chances.
Lewis played in parts of two rehab games before his return and hit a pair of home runs.
“I felt like I saw the ball really good,” Lewis said. “I was swinging at everything and that’s really fun. I felt like I was playing in the backyard again.”
The Twins will need to make room on the 26-man roster for Prielipp ahead of Wednesday’s game. They are currently carrying an extra position player. … The Mets plan to activate superstar Juan Soto from the injured list on Wednesday. Soto has been sidelined with a calf strain.
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