White Sox's Tony La Russa in the wrong on Yermin Mercedes and unwritten rules
Tony La Russa is digging a hole on the south side of Chicago that he might not be able to climb out of, Ben Verlander writes.MAY 19, 2021
Giolito gives Sox 8-inning, 2-hit outing to beat Twins 2-1
Lucas Giolito gave up two hits over eight innings with a season-high 11 strikeouts, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1MAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Checks back into starting nine Astudillo (hand) will start at third base and bat seventh Wednesday against the White Sox.
Impact Astudillo will return to the lineup for the first time since exiting Sunday's game against the Athletics with a bruised hand, but the Twins never seemed too concerned about the injury. The 29-year-old was used off the bench in Monday's 16-4 loss to the White Sox, going 0-for-3 while seeing action in the field at catcher and pitcher. Astudillo will be filling in Wednesday for Josh Donaldson, who is resting for the day game after a night game.
MAY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
LEADING OFF: Ohtani pitches, Kluber vs Rangers, Sox-Twins
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani makes his sixth pitching start of the season Wednesday when the Angels face Aaron Civale and the IndiansMAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Column: 1st rule of baseball is 1st basemen don't pitch
Yermín Mercedes has never read the unwritten rules of baseballMAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sanó homers three times, Twins rally to beat White Sox 5-4
Miguel Sanó homered three times, Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending RBI single and the Minnesota Twins beat Yermín Mercedes and the Chicago White Sox 5-4MAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: Trout out, Kluber vs Rangers, Sox-Twins trouble
Angels star Mike Trout could be out past the All-Star break after straining his right calf on the bases Monday nightMAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Twins' Duffey ejected after throwing at Yermín Mercedes
Minnesota Twins reliever Tyler Duffey has been ejected after throwing behind Chicago White Sox designated hitter Yermín MercedesMAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Debate night: La Russa says Mercedes 'clueless' to swing 3-0
White Sox manager Tony La Russa says Yermín Mercedes made a “big mistake” when he crushed a 3-0 pitch from infielder Willians Astudillo for a solo homer in the ninth inning of Mond...MAY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Twins announcers yell at cloud after White Sox slugger Yermin Mercedes hits HR off Willians Astudillo Willians Astudillo is not going to win the CY Young Award this year, or any year after serving up a bomb to White Sox breakout slugger Yermi...
MAY 18, 2021 • FANSIDED.COM
Madrigal, Mendick homer as White Sox pound Twins 16-4
Nick Madrigal had three hits, including his first major league homer, and Danny Mendick launched his first career grand slam as the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 16-4MAY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Twins hope for quick return from Max Kepler, then get one from Willians Astudillo Kenta Maeda will throw Tuesday before the Twins decide the next step for the righthander.
MAY 18, 2021 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Wild pitch in the 9th lifts Athletics past Twins 7-6
Matt Chapman had three hits and three RBIs and Ramón Laureano scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Minnesota Twins 7-6MAY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Leaves with bruised hand Astudillo was removed from Sunday's game against the A's with a bruised hand, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Impact The 29-year-old went 0-for-1 and exited Sunday's contest after suffering the injury on a hit by pitch. Astudillo was working behind the plate and was replaced by Ben Rortvedt.
MAY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
For time being, Willians Astudillo has taken Miguel Sano’s spot as Twins first baseman Sano has missed four of the past five games after returning from a hamstring injury that sent him to St. Paul for rehab on April 20.
MAY 14, 2021 • TWINCITIES.COM
Two hits in another start Astudillo started at first base and went 2-for-4 with a double to raise his batting average to .324 in Tuesday's loss to the White Sox.
Impact Astudillo appears to have supplanted Miguel Sano as the starting first baseman in the near term as he's been hot at the plate while Sano has struggled. Astudillo will likely move back to a utility role when several Twins return from the injured list, but he could stick in the lineup if he stays hot since so many Twins regulars are struggling at the plate.
MAY 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Imperfect 10: Rangers rally past extra-struggling Twins 4-3
Willie Calhoun’s RBI single in the 10th inning gave the Texas Rangers the lead in a 4-3 victory over the reeling Minnesota TwinsMAY 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
García homers in 10th, Rangers come back to beat Twins 6-3
Adolis García hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to complete the Texas Rangers’ comeback in a 6-3 win against the Minnesota TwinsMAY 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Minnesota Twins: Willians Astudillo has odd batting line There has yet to be a pitch that Willians Astudillo does not like. The Minnesota Twins utility man is known for his ability to make contact...
MAY 2, 2021 • CALLTOTHEPEN.COM
Remains out of lineup Astudillo isn't starting Saturday's game against the Royals.
Impact Astudillo will be excluded from the lineup for a second straight game. Alex Kirilloff will start at first base while Luis Arraez starts in left field.
MAY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Out of Friday's lineup Astudillo is not in the lineup Friday against the Royals.
Impact Astudillo is 8-for-31 with two homers and four RBI while starting eight of the past nine games, but he'll head to the bench Friday. Alex Kiriloff will receive the start at first base while Luis Arraez works in left field for the Twins.
APRIL 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Launches second homer of 2021 Astudillo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 10-2 rout of Cleveland.
Impact The utilityman has been consistent of late, recording one hit in six of his last seven games. Astudillo's value is aided by his propensity for putting the ball in play, as he's struck out only three times without drawing a single walk in 2021. Boasting neither an explosive bat nor an everyday spot in the lineup, Astudillo has a modest ceiling for fantasy purposes, but his contact ability always gives him a chance to make something happen at the plate when he gets the opportunity.
APRIL 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Reyes homers twice as Indians hand slumping Twins 7-4 loss
Franmil Reyes hit two home runs, including a 452-foot drive that landed in the left-field bleachers about six rows in front of the scoreboard, and the Cleveland Indians beat the sl...APRIL 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Heads to bench Astudillo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Cleveland, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Impact Astudillo will head to the bench after going 6-for-22 with a home run while starting each of the past six games. Minnesota still has two everyday players on the injured list in Miguel Sano (hamstring) and Max Kepler (COVID-19 health and safety protocols), but Andrelton Simmons' return Monday from the COVID-19 IL leaves one fewer lineup spot available for the versatile Astudillo. Minnesota will likely have two of Alex Kirilloff, Jake Cave, Astudillo and Brent Rooker fill Sano's and Kepler's lineup spots for any further contests the pair misses.
APRIL 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Getting regular work at first base Astudillo will bat ninth and man first base Sunday against the Pirates.
Impact Astudillo will be making his sixth consecutive start Sunday, with each of the last four coming at first base. The 29-year-old looks poised to stick as the Twins' primary option at first base until Miguel Sano (hamstring) returns from what's expected to be a brief stay on the 10-day injured list. Astudillo is slashing .293/.286/.415 with a home run and six RBI over 42 plate appearances on the season.
APRIL 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
