Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Twins starting rotation took a hit earlier this week when Pablo Lopez hit the injured list with a Grade 2 teres major strain. So far though, the pitching staff has remained largely healthy.
Rocco Baldelli is hoping for length while his star pitcher is on the shelf. The hope would be that longer starts means less of a strain put on the bullpen. That group has been good as well, but the bottom could use a boost.
Michael Tonkin was expected to be part of the bottom of that group. The veteran has been hurt since spring training. He previously was on a rehab assignment before it was shut down. He’s now ramping things back up again.
Minnesota Twins send Tonkin to St. Paul
Michael Tonkin last appeared in a game on May 8 for the St. Paul Saints. That was his sixth rehab appearance for the season, and he was eyeing a return to the big leagues. He was shut down following that appearance and will ramp things back up again on Saturday.
Michael Tonkin is scheduled to start another rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints tonight.
He was previously dealing with biceps tendinitis.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 7, 2025
Originally this spring Tonkin was placed on the injured list with a rotator cuff injury. He left his rehab assignment with biceps tendonitis. The hope is that both of those maladies are now behind him.
Tonkin was not sharp during his initial rehab assignment. Across six appearances he pitches 9 2/3 innings but allowed nine runs (eight earned). He did have a nice 13/4 K/BB but was way to hittable giving up 15 knocks.
The Minnesota Twins don’t have expectations that Tonkin will somehow factor into leverage spots for them. They do hope he can bring some veteran presence to the spots assumed by players like Kody Funderburk and Jorge Alcala.
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Last season Michael Tonkin pitched for three different teams, twice with the Twins. Tonkin owned a 3.63 ERA (3.44 FIP) across 79 1/3 innings. The veteran got back to the big leagues with Atlanta in 2023 for the first time since 2017. His 85 strikeouts often recorded some key outs.
If Tonkin can get through a couple of rehab spots, it’s possible that he could force a decision on someone like Alcala.
Danny Coulombe closing in for Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins have been without Danny Coulombe for a couple of weeks. With the recent demotion of Kody Funderburk, Rocco Baldelli is without a lefty in his bullpen. Coulombe started a rehab assignment o Friday for the St. Paul Saints and threw a perfect inning in relief.
Last night LHP Danny Coulombe made his @TRIAOrthopedics Major League rehab appearance. How did he do? How about a perfect inning of relief throwing 9 pitches, 7 for strikes. He’s one step closer to working his way back to the #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Qliz7TjYXF
— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) June 7, 2025
In 19 appearances this season, Coulombe has has yet to give up a run in 16 2/3 innings. He has a 19/2 K/BB and has been one of baseball’s best lefties for some time now.
It’s more likely that Coulombe beats Tonkin back to the big leagues. A return following Monday’s off day definitely makes sense.
Mentioned in this article: Danny Coulombe Michael Tonkin
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