Five Runs in 1.1 Innings: Why the Twins Are Banking on Kendry Rojas Anyway

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because something kinda wild just went down over in Minnesota, and it’s got us thinking about what a player's return from injury *really* means. The Twins officially brought back their lefty pitcher, Kendry Rojas, from his rehab assignment and pulled him off the 15-day injured list. You'd think a guy coming back would have crushed his rehab, right? Well, Rojas gave up five runs on five hits in just 1 1/3 innings during his last rehab start. Yeah, you read that right. Five runs. In barely an inning. It’s enough to make you scratch your head a bit, even if you’re pulling for the guy.

The Big Gamble on a Young Arm

Rojas, who's only 23, was sidelined back on May 29 with left elbow inflammation. That’s never what you want to hear, especially for a pitcher. He ended up missing a solid 24 games, which is a big chunk of the season. Now, here's the kicker: despite that rough rehab outing on Thursday against Omaha, the Twins are clearly eager to get him back on the big league mound. Why? His season numbers with the Twins before the injury tell a different story than that rehab game. He’s sitting at a 1-0 record with a 1.26 ERA across five appearances, including one start. Those numbers are legit. It’s like they’re saying, "Forget that one bad night, we know what this kid c

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an do." It's a massive vote of confidence, but man, those rehab numbers are tough to ignore.

One Door Closes, Another Opens in the Bullpen

While Rojas is making his return, another pitcher is on his way out. On the very same day, the Twins designated right-hander Justin Lawrence for release or assignment. Lawrence, 31, had a short and honestly, pretty brutal, run in Minnesota. He appeared in seven relief outings, ending up with an 0-1 record and an absolutely eye-popping 18.00 ERA. Yikes. That's a brutal stat line that makes it clear why they made the move. It’s tough out there in the majors, and when the numbers start looking like that, teams have to make tough choices. This kind of roster churn reminds you just how cutthroat the league can be, with every single appearance weighing heavily on a player's future. What does this mean for the Twins moving forward? With Rojas back, they’re clearly hoping he can recapture that stellar 1.26 ERA form. His return could stabilize their rotation or bullpen, depending on how they use him. But that awful rehab start is definitely a flashing yellow light. It's a reminder that getting back from injury isn't just about being cleared, it's about being *ready*. We’ll be watching to see if Rojas can shake off the rust and get back to dealing for the Twins. This is the kind of mid-season player movement that can really shape a team’s destiny.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.