Aug. 12, 2009
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS – Pitcher Jeff Manship got the call of a lifetime around 1 a.m. CT on Wednesday morning. On the other line was Rochester Red Wings manager Stan Cliburn, delivering the news to Manship that he was being promoted from Triple-A Rochester to the Minnesota Twins.
“I was extremely shocked, and then it finally sank in a little bit,” Manship said. “I called my parents, called my sister, brother, girlfriend — pretty much everybody in my phone book.”
Manship was recalled Wednesday after the Twins put pitcher Glen Perkins on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. Minnesota was in need of a pitcher to help the bullpen, and Manship, who went 4-3 with a 3.22 ERA in eight starts with the Red Wings, was the team’s choice.
“Hopefully, I can help as much as possible when I’m here,” Manship said.
The right-hander started the season in Double-A New Britain and was promoted to Rochester on June 24. Now, the 24-year-old is in the big leagues for the first time in his career. That quick progression was something he admitted he didn’t expect prior to the 2009 season.
“I was thinking I was probably going to get to Triple-A at some point, but didn’t know when. I figured that would be the end of it for this year,” said Manship, who will wear jersey No. 49 with the Twins. “Very shocked, but I’m very happy to be up here.”
Minnesota will use Manship out of the bullpen, a role he hasn’t filled since his college ball at Notre Dame. But with the Twins lacking depth among relievers, the starter will again find himself in the pen.
“I should be fine with it,” Manship said. “I’ve done it before, back in college. Nothing too different.”
Manship was scheduled to start for Rochester on Wednesday, so he’ll be ready if the Twins need him in relief against the Royals.
“A lot of people threw a lot of pitches,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Tuesday’s 14-6 loss. “We needed depth for tonight. We need somebody that’s stretched out.”
In order to find success with Minnesota, Manship will need to master his changeup, the pitch largely responsible for his success in the Minors.
“That’s probably been one of the best pitches for me is the changeup,” Manship said. “I’m trying to throw that at least 20 times a game. Whenever I have that pitch working for me, the results are a lot better for me.”
— ND —