JORGE ALCALA NEWS

Soto hits 2nd homer and Mets top lowly Twins 5-1

Juan Soto hit his first home run since the opening weekend of the season and the New York Mets beat the slumping Minnesota Twins 5-1

APRIL 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dingler helps Detroit rally then Tigers hang on to beat Twins 7-6

Dillon Dingler had three hits, an RBI and scored a run as the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-6

APRIL 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Struggles in loss Alcala (0-1) took the loss in Saturday's 5-1 defeat to the Cardinals. He allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while failing to record an out in the sixth inning.

Impact Alcala was hit in the shoulder area by a line drive on the first batter he faced. While he stayed in the game and there wasn't a report of an injury, he may have been rattled as he then had trouble throwing strikes. Hopefully it's a minor setback as he has upside with his velocity (reaching a career-high 101.2 mph last summer) to be an impact setup man.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Nootbaar and Fedde lift Cardinals to 5-1 victory over Twins

Lars Nootbaar had two hits and two RBIs, helping Erick Fedde and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Minnesota Twins 5-1

MARCH 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins include Randy Dobnak in long relief role for his 1st opening day roster spot in 4 years

The Minnesota Twins set their opening day roster with right-hander Randy Dobnak in a long relief role, the first time in four years he broke camp with the major league club

MARCH 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Looks set to make bullpen Alcala looks set to make the major league bullpen, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. He's thrown nine scoreless innings with a 5:2 K:BB ratio this spring.

Impact With Alcala's performance last season, his roster status shouldn't really be in question, but the Twins curiously sent him to the minors several times last year. Alcala has outstanding velocity with a 97.9 average mph fastball, reaching a career-high 101.2 mph last summer. His strikeout rates haven't been as overpowering (8.95 K/9 last season) as he's struggled to get hitters to chase (just 19th percentile Chase% per Baseball Savant), but he limits hard hits (91st percentile Hard-Hit rate per Baseball Savant). He should be in the setup mix again this season if he can stay healthy and could be a good source of holds.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Twins trio avoids near car crash, shaken by experience FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Three Twins players escaped a harrowing experience on Monday when a car went airborne over their cars just a few minutes...

FEBRUARY 27 • MLB.COM

Twins pick up $1.5 million option on reliever Jorge Alcala for next season

The Minnesota Twins have exercised their $1.5 million club option for reliever Jorge Alcala

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Option exercised The Twins exercised Alcala's $1.5 million club option for 2025, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Alcala spent some time in the minors in 2024 but pitched well over 58.1 innings with the Twins, posting a 3.24 ERA and 58:20 K:BB over 58.1 frames. He'll be used in middle relief in 2025.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Up from St. Paul The Twins recalled Alcala from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Impact Alcala owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 20 innings in the majors since the All-Star break, but he'll be called upon to give the Twins a fresh bullpen arm as they fight to secure a wild-card spot. He'll take the place of Brent Headrick, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Twins' choice to demote Jorge Alcala came partly because of need for lengthier outings The Twins’ rookie-filled starting rotation had something to do with Jorge Alcala’s demotion to Class AAA St. Paul, which became official Tue...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins option reliever Jorge Alcala to Triple-A, activate newly acquired Irvin The Twins claimed Irvin off waivers on Monday but it’s a bit surprising to see Alcala optioned as the corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Moved to minors Alcala was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact The Twins have elected to demote Alcala in order to make room for Cole Irvin, who was claimed off waivers earlier in the day. Alcala's recent performance likely led to the demotion, as he's allowed three runs in his last three appearances out of the bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

De La Cruz's first big league grand slam keys Reds to 8-4 win over Twins

Elly De La Cruz hit his first big league grand slam in a six-run seventh inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Minnesota Twins 8-4

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Larnach hits a 3-run homer as the Twins beat the Rays 5-4

Trevor Larnach and Brooks Lee homered to help the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins' Jorge Alcala says he feels well despite August struggles out of bullpen The righthander had been one of the Twins’ most effective relievers until recently, but he credits batters for their success.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins teammates rally to support Jorge Alcala after awful seventh inning Twins reliever Jose Alcala gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning, turning a four-run lead into a one-run deficit in the Twins’ 6-5, 1...

AUGUST 19, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Santana's sacrifice fly in 9th off All-Star closer Yates sends Twins past Rangers 3-2

Carlos Santana hit a sacrifice fly off All-Star closer Kirby Yates in the ninth inning and the playoff-contending Minnesota Twins beat Texas 3-2

AUGUST 16, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Career-high velocity Alcala allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning Saturday against Seattle. He reached a career-high 101.2 mph on the radar gun, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapo...

Impact Alcala has been an impact setup man for the Twins since returning from his inexplicable demotions to Triple-A in May and April. Alcala has a 1.05 ERA with a 19:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings since returning to the majors in late May.

JUNE 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Marte knocks in go-ahead run in 7th and Diamondbacks edge Twins 5-4

Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer in the first inning and drove in the go-ahead run with an infield hit in the seventh as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4

JUNE 26, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays stop Twins' winning streak at 6 with 3-2 victory, after Royce Lewis' 10th-inning throwing error

The Tampa Bay Rays scored on a throwing error by Minnesota's Royce Lewis with two outs in the 10th inning for a 3-2 victory that stopped the Twins’ six-game winning streak

JUNE 20, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins reliever Jorge Alcala strong since returns from minor leagues Returning to the bullpen, his 100-mph fastball and dancing slider has had coaches and teammates buzzing.

MAY 30, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Rojas and France help the Mariners knock off the Twins 10-6

Josh Rojas and Ty France each hit an RBI single during Seattle’s four-run ninth inning, and the Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 10-6

MAY 8, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Throws two scoreless innings Alcala threw two scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. He's thrown 2.2 scoreless innings in two games this season.

Impact Alcala hurt his hand late in spring training (struck in the right hand by a line drive) but it has not been an issue during the regular season. After two injury-plagued seasons, Alcala could move into a higher leverage role later this season. He features a plus fastball but control as been a recent problem (5.2 BB/9 last season), so keep an eye on his walk rate.

APRIL 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers smash Twins 12-3. Louie Varland hit hard; Jorge Alcala walks off mound with trainer. Louie Varland made his first start since winning a spot in the Twins rotation. It did not go well at all.

MARCH 20, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM