A 7-4 loss to the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday night at CHS Field amounted to a forgettable night for the Saints, but it did mark the return to the field for Twins infielder Kyle Farmer. Having joined the Saints on a rehab assignment as he continues to work his way back from a right shoulder strain, Farmer played his first game in nearly a month. Playing second base and batting second in the order, Farmer went 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts.
He was replaced at second base in the top of the eighth. Farmer, who was not available for comment after the game, was placed on the Injured List retroactive to July 11 after trying to play through the shoulder pain. The injury has undoubtedly played a part in his offense struggles this season.
Farmer is hitting .189 with the Twins. “He hasn’t hit in a long time, so we’re just trying to get him some at-bats,” Saints manager Toby Gardenhire said.
“We’ve got him DHing (Wednesday), and I know there is going to be a progression. He is going to be here for a few days.” Meanwhile, corner infielder Yunior Severino made his first start of the season in the outfield.
The 24-year-old Severino, who is on the Twins’ 40-man roster, leads the Saints with 18 home runs. “I called our farm director the other day and talked to him about it,” Gardenhire said. “He’s been playing first base and he’s doing fine.
He’s working really hard. He’s played a little outfield in the past — in A ball. Right now, he’s moving around better than he did back then.
“He looks leaner. It might be something he can do a little bit better if we get him some work out there. It can’t hurt to be able to play multiple positions.
If he can go out and play left field, right field, it just adds value to him.” The Twins are deep at first base, so it makes sense to give the power-hitting Severino a look elsewhere. “We’re trying to figure out a spot where he could go up there and help the big-league team at some point,” Gardenhire said.
“First base is kind of a tough spot with all the guys they have going up there.” Edouard Julien started at first base for the Saints on Tuesday, and the plan is to give him a couple of starts a week there in case the Twins need him to play the position at some point this season. “We’ll keep moving these guys around little bit,” Gardenhire said, “and just to keep as versatile as we can.
” The Clippers batted around in the first inning, scoring four runs against Saints starter Adam Plutko. They added two more in the third and another run in the fourth. Former Mounds View star Sam Hentges pitched the seventh inning for the Clippers, allowing the Saints’ first run of the game.
The 28-year-old left-hander, a fourth-round pick by Cleveland in 2014, has appeared in 25 games with the Guardians this season. A three-run home run by Julien in the bottom of the ninth made things interesting, but the rally ended there. The hit extended Julien’s on-base streak to 32 games.
Ten of the Guardians’ top 30 prospects as rated by MVB Pipeline are on the Clippers’ current roster, including five of the top 10. Veteran relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos joined the Saints after being signed to a minor-league deal by the Twins. The 32-year-old Gallegos began the season with the St.
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