Twins finally end the Jorge Alcala experiment in trade with Red Sox

As most expected, the Twins decided to move on from Alcala, who has an 8.88 ERA in 24 ⅓ innings this season, as a corresponding move to claiming lefty reliever Joey Wentz off waivers. Minnesota traded Alcala to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for 21-year-old outfielder/infielder Andy Lugo, who is currently in High-A, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Phil Miller and MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

The trade of Alcala to Boston came after he allowed five earned runs in 1 ⅔ innings in Minnesota’s 16-4 loss against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Although Alcala has struggled significantly, and the Twins likely made the right decision by trading him, there are reasons to believe he will revive his career in Boston. Alcala had a 3.24 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 58 ⅓ innings for Minnesota last season. Additionally, he has an above-average 24.6 K% and 35.7 hard-hit % this season. However, he struggles to limit free passes, as shown by his 13.2% walk percentage, and he posts a poor 11.4% barrel percentage.

Who is Andy Lugo, who the Twins acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Jorge Alcala?

Lugo, who the Red Sox signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, has played third base, first base and left field while slashing .265/.327/.430 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 171 plate appearances for High-A Greenville this season. In Low-A and High-A last year, Lugo posted a .263/.337/.371 slash line with three homers and 45 RBIs. If he makes the major leagues, it likely won’t be for at least a couple of years.

Twins aim to win series against Texas Rangers

After evening up the series yesterday, the Minnesota Twins have their sights set on winning the three-game set against the Texas Rangers.

Game 3 is scheduled to commence at 12:10 p.m. CT on Thursday. The probable starting pitchers are Bailey Ober, who has a 4-2 record with a 3.78 ERA and 54 strikeouts, for Minnesota, and Patrick Corbin, who has a 3-5 record with a 3.52 ERA and 43 strikeouts, for Texas.