Brian Duensing

Brian Duensing (Twins)

5/13/12 8:30 am

The Twins are considering moving Brian Duensing back to their rotation.

Duensing has been terrific out of the pen this year, posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 15 appearances. He’s better suited for relief given his problems with right-handed batters, but the Twins are desperate for rotation help right now. “He’s really good in the ‘pen,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “I love him right where he’s at, but if we can’t get to the bullpen, then what good does it do out there?” Scott Diamond and P.J. Walters both pitched well in their first starts, but it seems likely that one of them will replaced by Duensing before long.

Source: startribune.com

Brian Duensing (Twins)

1/18/12 4:01 pm

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Wednesday that the composition of the starting rotation will be determined during spring training.

“We’ve got a situation there where we’ve got probably six, seven, eight guys that will be in the area of starting and potential to be starters,” said Ryan. “I wouldn’t eliminate Duensing. I wouldn’t eliminate (Anthony) Swarzak. I wouldn’t eliminate (Matt) Mahoney. I wouldn’t eliminate (Scott) Diamond. . . . We’re going to end up opening that thing up down there. Obviously we’ll have decisions to make. If everyone stays healthy, then we will have good problems.” As of now, the Twins project to have Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Jason Marquis and Nick Blackburn in their rotation. Brian Duensing would move to the bullpen in this scenario, but considering how much he has struggled against right-handed batters, most believe he’ll help the Twins more as a reliever, anyway.