LEWIS THORPE NEWS

Sent down by Twins Thorpe was optioned to the Twins' alternate training site Thursday.

Impact Thorpe was granted a fourth minor-league option for 2021 since he spent most of the 2020 season at the Twins' alternate training site, so the team was able to send him down. The lefty should develop with Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season after he posted a 2.35 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 7.2 innings during five appearances (two starts) this spring.

MARCH 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notes: Thorpe gains option; trio of bombas The competition for the long-relief spot in the Twins' bullpen will remain a competition after all. Minnesota received confirmation on Wedne...

MARCH 24, 2021 • MLB.COM

Granted fourth option Thorpe will have a fourth minor-league option for 2021, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact Thorpe and the Twins were waiting to see whether the southpaw would be granted a fourth option for 2021, and an arbitrator confirmed as much since Thorpe spent most of the 2020 campaign at the alternate training site. The southpaw has been pitching well during spring training, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over 7.2 innings during five appearances (two starts). However, he'll likely have more time to develop at Triple-A St. Paul to begin the regular season since he won't need to be placed on waivers prior to heading to the minors.

MARCH 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fourth option year uncertain Thorpe gave up two runs over 2.2 innings with one strikeout in Sunday's spring appearance. He has a 2.35 ERA this spring with eight strikeouts and two walks in 7.2 innings. An arib...

Impact Thorpe has looked good this spring as he's increased velocity, throwing in the low-to-mid 90s after a sharp drop last season (average fastball velocity of 89.7 mph). The larger issue for where he'll begin the season is if he gains a fourth option year based on losing time due to injury. An arbitrator is set to rule on whether players who spent most of last season at alternate training sites played a "full season," the Star Tribune adds. If the Twins are granted a fourth option year on Thorpe's contract, he'll likely be ticketed for Triple-A. If not, he may begin the season in the majors in a long relief role since the Twins would need to place him on waivers to send him to the minors. It's not clear when the arbitrator will make a decision.

MARCH 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lewis Thorpe good enough for Twins to keep, but it might not be feasible Arbitrator will decide on Class AAA as an option.

MARCH 8, 2021 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Minnesota Twins: Can Lewis Thorpe prove he belongs in the Majors? Lewis Thorpe has been a member of the Minnesota Twins organization since he was 16, when he was signed out of Australia and given a $500k si...

MARCH 3, 2021 • PUCKETTSPOND.COM

Improved velocity in spring debut Thorpe threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and reached 93 mph with his fastball in his spring debut Monday against Tampa Bay, MLB.com reports.

Impact Thorpe gained 28 pounds while working out in the offseason after struggling last season with a 6.06 ERA. Thorpe had a promising 25.0 percent strikeout rate in 2019, but that plummeted to 13.0 percent along with a drop in average fastball velocity to 89.7 mph in 2020. He's a candidate to win a swingman role with the Twins this spring, but more likely begins the season in Triple-A after Minnesota was granted a fourth minor-league option year in his contract this offseason.

MARCH 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

'Sky's the limit': Twins hope renewed dedication has Lewis Thorpe back on track After a disappointing 2020 season, Lewis Thorpe spent the offseason building up his lower-body strength and rebuilding his confidence.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Big gains in offseason workouts Thorpe went from squatting 285 pounds to 600 pounds in offseason workouts, increasing his weight from 192 to 220 pounds in the process, MLB.com reports. "With the way he's throwing...

Impact Thorpe entered last season as a candidate for the rotation, but struggled with a 6.06 ERA and poor underlying numbers. Thorpe had a promising 25.0 percent strikeout rate in 2019, but that plummeted to 13.0 percent along with a drop in average fastball velocity to 89.7 mph. Thorpe hopes to improve his velocity and endurance by focusing on having stronger leg muscles. He'll be a candidate to win a swingman role in the bullpen, but more likely begins the season in Triple-A after Minnesota was granted a fourth minor-league option year in his contract this offseason.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Newly 'dialed in,' Thorpe's ready to compete FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Lewis Thorpe was practically glowing as he walked off the mound following his first session throwing live batting practi...

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • MLB.COM

Twins pitchers again in prove-it mode, starting with Berrios

The pitching staff carried the load for the Minnesota Twins last year to win a second straight division title

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

After solid Twins debut, Maeda aims to finish even stronger

Kenta Maeda’s first season with Minnesota was abbreviated by the pandemic, but the Japanese right-hander’s debut was a runaway success

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

AL Central teams at the start of spring training

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catc...

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins place Buxton, Garver on growing injured list

The Minnesota Twins have placed two more regulars on the injured list, with center fielder Byron Buxton and catcher Mitch Garver joining third baseman Josh Donaldson on the sidelin...

AUGUST 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sent down by Twins Thorpe was optioned to the Twins' alternate training site Thursday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Impact Thorpe had a rough outing Wednesday as he allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings. He's been inconsistent to begin the season, and he'll attempt to right the ship at alternate camp. Zack Littell was recalled in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Semien hits leadoff HR, A's beat Astros to win 8th straight

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bypassed for weekend start Thorpe doesn't appear in line to make a start during this weekend's series in Kansas City, with the Twins listing Devin Smeltzer and Jake Odorizzi (back) as their starters for game...

Impact Thorpe picked up a start Monday in place of Rich Hill (shoulder), taking a no-decision in the win over the Pirates while giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over four innings. Assuming the Twins confirm Jose Berrios to start Sunday's series finale on his normal rest, Thorpe appears to be headed back to the bullpen. Odorizzi's impending return from the injured list would give the Twins four health starters, while the fact that Smeltzer is getting Friday's start suggests he has a leg up over Thorpe for the fifth and final rotation spot.

AUGUST 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Shaky control in no-decision Thorpe didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 5-4 win over the Pirates, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out three.

Impact The southpaw managed to throw only 36 of 67 pitches for strikes, and given the constant traffic Pittsburgh put on the basepaths, Thorpe was lucky to limit the damage as he did. Rich Hill's sore shoulder could keep Thorpe in the rotation for one more turn, but he'll need to sharpen his command and control -- despite a 3.12 ERA, the 24-year-old has a woeful 4:6 K:BB through his first 8.2 innings this season -- if he wants to make a push for a more permanent move out of the bullpen.

AUGUST 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cruz's walk-off single lifts Twins past Pirates 5-4

Nelson Cruz’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates for their fourth straight win

AUGUST 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lewis Thorpe starts, Rich Hill sidelined, Twins recall Thielbar, option Wade Lefty Lewis Thorpe is filling in because of injuries in the rotation. Eddie Rosario and Jorge Polanco are getting a rest, and Josh Donaldson...

AUGUST 3, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Lewis Thorpe starting for Twins as Rich Hill is out of rotation Lefty Lewis Thorpe is filling in because of injuries in the rotation. Eddie Rosario and Jorge Polanco are getting a rest, and Josh Donaldson...

AUGUST 3, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Lewis Thorpe starts as Twins play first of four games against Pirates The rotation is hampered because Jake Odorizzi and Homer Bailey are sidelined by injuries.

AUGUST 3, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Garver, Twins lean on pen for 2-hitter to top Indians 3-1

Mitch Garver hit his first home run of the season and the Minnesota Twins used their bullpen to string together a two-hitter in a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Slated to start Monday Thorpe will start Monday's game against the Pirates, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Thorpe had dealt with a left leg contusion since his first outing of the season July 26, but he was able to return to the mound Thursday, firing two scoreless relief innings against Cleveland. He'll make a spot start Monday in place of Homer Bailey (biceps), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. However, Thorpe likely won't maintain a starting role since Jake Odorizzi (back) is expected to return from the 10-day IL later in the week.

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Moves past minor leg issue Thorpe (leg) tossed two scoreless innings in relief in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Indians, giving up two hits and striking out one.

Impact Thorpe's 20-pitch appearance verifies that the left leg contusion he suffered in his first outing of the season July 26 against the White Sox won't be a concern moving forward. The 24-year-old southpaw looks poised to serve in a long-relief role for most of the season, but he'll be one of the top candidates to start in the event the Twins' rotation is missing multiple arms at any point.

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE