Pagan (5-1) earned the win Sunday against the White Sox. He didn't allow a hit or walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning.
Since an ugly outing on June 11 where he gave up three runs and took a loss, Pagan has allowed just two runs in his last 16 innings with a 16:6 K:BB, and he's moved into higher-leverage spots as a result. His many high-profile bad outings in key spots in close games the past two seasons still likely limits his upside, however, as he may not move into a top setup role. Pagan has one of the worst Win Probably Added (WPA) metrics among relievers the last two years (-.022 this season) as a measure of his high-leverage struggles.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Extends scoreless streak
Rotowire
Pagan allowed a hit while striking out two over two scoreless innings Tuesday against the Rays.
Pagan has now put together 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight in that span. His ERA is down to 3.76 with a 1.14 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB through 26.1 innings this season. The 32-year-old Pagan was moved out of a high-leverage role after a shaky start to the season, but he looks to be working his way back up the Twins' bullpen hierarchy.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Returns from hip injury
Rotowire
Pagan (hip) allowed a hit and no walks over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's 7-6 victory over the Guardians.
Pagan left Sunday's loss to Toronto with a minor muscle strain in his hip area. He needed a few days off, but he's back to full speed. He's had an up-and-down season (4.57 ERA entering Thursday) and has continued to struggle in high-leverage spots. He'll continue to work in middle relief.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Has strained hip
Rotowire
Pagan left Sunday's loss to Toronto with a minor muscle strain in the hip/groin area, manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Pagan's injury was initially thought to be an arm injury, but this sounds like a less worrisome issue. He may be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Suffers apparent arm injury
Rotowire
Pagan was removed from Sunday's game against the Blue Jays after suffering an apparent right arm injury, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
After Pagan hit Matt Chapman with a pitch, Twins trainer Masa Abe visited the right-hander on the mound. After consulting with the trainer, Pagan headed to the dugout and appeared to be favoring his right arm while walking off the field. Chapman was the only batter Pagan faced during the seven-pitch relief appearance.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Earns third win
Rotowire
Pagan (3-0) earned the win in Thursday's 5-3 victory over San Diego. He allowed zero runs with no hits or walks while striking out one over an inning.
Pagan struggled with the Twins last season, posting a 4.43 ERA and seven blown saves, and it was a mild surprise that he wasn't non-tendered. However, he's improved significantly as he's given up earned runs in just two of his 13 appearances (though he gave up six runs in 1.2 innings April 20). He has an impressive 15:3 K:BB ratio in 15.2 innings. He began the season buried in the bullpen but is starting to be used in higher-leverage setup situations.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Lit up in Boston
Rotowire
Pagan allowed six runs on eight hits over 1.2 innings in Thursday's 11-5 loss to Boston. He struck out one and didn't issue any walks.
The veteran reliever entered the game to start the third inning after Kenta Maeda (ankle) exited after being struck by a comebacker. Pagan would ultimately allow seven hits in the inning, including a pair of doubles, as the Red Sox put six runs on the board. The 31-year-old Pagan had been pitching well coming into Thursday's contest, throwing 5.1 consecutive scoreless innings since he allowed a run in his season debut. Following the rough outing in Boston, his ERA balloons from 1.42 to 7.88. Pagan is 1-0 with a 1.75 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB through eight innings to start the season.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Gives up one run in season debut
Rotowire
Pagan allowed one run on two hits and no walks while striking out one over one inning in Sunday's 7-4 win over Kansas City.
Pagan struggled with the Twins last season, posting a 4.43 ERA and seven blown saves, and it was a mild surprise that he wasn't non-tendered. His 2023 debut in a low-leverage spot (the Twins were up four runs in the ninth) didn't build confidence for a turnaround as he gave up a hit to his first two batters. He'll likely work in low-leverage spots until he gains the team's confidence again.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Comes to terms for 2023
Rotowire
Pagan agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
Pagan had an up-and-down first year in Minnesota with 4.43 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 84:26 K:BB across 63 innings. The 31-year-old should see some high-leverage chances to open 2023 but is unlikely to see regular save opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Exits with lat cramp
Rotowire
The Twins announced Pagan was removed from his relief appearance in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays due to a right lat cramp, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. He retired two batters and allowed a base hit before exiting in the sixth inning.
Anything lat-related is usually worrisome for a pitcher, but assuming Pagan is in fact dealing with nothing more serious than a cramp, he should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list. The Twins are labeling Pagan as day-to-day for the time being and should have an update on the right-hander's status in advance of Tuesday's series opener in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Picks up win in relief
Rotowire
Pagan (2-3) earned the win in Saturday's 4-3 win over Baltimore, allowing no runs on no hits while striking out one and walking one over one inning of relief.
Pagan pitched a clean ninth inning to help secure a win for the Twins. He entered the game with his team down 3-2 but picked up the win thanks to two ninth-inning Minnesota runs. This was a step in the right direction for Pagan, who pitched to an 11.42 ERA for the month of June. The good performance helped the righty reliever shave his season ERA to 5.06.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Out of closer role
Rotowire
Pagan will move from the closer role to low-leverage appearances until he gets back on track, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "Yeah, he's going to pitch earlier in the games and potentially when we don't have the lead and things like that," said manager Rocco Baldelli.
Pagan had become the primary closer among a committee with the Twins amassing nine saves and a 2.45 ERA before June 13. He's struggled since June 21 with two blown saves and allowed nine runs and three walks in 3.2 innings. He was the primary culprit in four blown leads by the bullpen in the past week against Cleveland. Jhoan Duran, who picked up a save last weekend, seems to be the frontrunner for any Minnesota saves in the short term, though others could be in the mix.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Blows fifth save
Rotowire
Pagan (1-3) took the loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Guardians, giving up two runs on a hit and two walks without recording an out as the Twins fell 3-2.
The right-hander entered the game to protect a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning, but Pagan walked the first two batters he faced and advanced them both on a wild pitch before Amed Rosario cashed them in with a single. It's noteworthy that Pagan wasn't held back for a potential save situation in the ninth, instead getting the call to face the top of Cleveland's order in the eighth, and given that he's allowed multiple runs in three of his last four appearances while converting just 9-of-14 save chances on the season, time could be running out on his stint as the Twins' closer.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Records ninth save
Rotowire
Pagan pitched a scoreless inning against Seattle on Monday, allowing one walk and striking out two batters to earn the save.
Pagan was tasked with preserving a one-run, ninth-inning lead. He saw the tying run move into scoring position due to a two-out walk and stolen base, but the right-hander struck out Jesse Winker to end the threat. Pagan appears to be the current favorite over Jhoan Duran for ninth-inning duties thanks to a 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 11.9 K/9. He's blown three saves but has also successfully converted nine opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Secures save
Rotowire
Pagan picked up his eighth save of the season Saturday against the Rays, striking out two batters while retiring the side in order in a scoreless ninth inning.
Pagan was tasked with protecting a one-run lead after Jhoan Duran threw a scoreless eighth inning and never let the Rays have much of a chance, sandwiching a groundout between a pair of strikeouts. Pagan now has an 8-4 lead over Duran on the Twins' saves leaderboard. The outing lowered the right-hander's season ERA to 2.57.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Moves to restricted list
Rotowire
Pagan (not injury related) was placed on the restricted list Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Pagan is apparently unvaccinated and is unable to enter Canada as the Twins take on the Blue Jays for a three-game series this weekend. The 31-year-old should be back with the team for the subsequent series against the Yankees, which begins Tuesday. Rookie Jhoan Duran should operate as Minnesota's top option for save chances in the meantime.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Picks up one-out save
Rotowire
Pagan struck out the only batter he faced Friday, recording his seventh save of the season in a 10-7 win over the Royals.
The Twins were up 10-5 heading into the ninth inning, but after Yennier Cano ran into trouble, Pagan got the call to put out the fire and struck out Nicky Lopez on three pitches. Rookie Jhoan Duran continues to push for ninth-inning work, but Pagan has converted seven of nine save chances on the year with a 2.25 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB through 16 innings.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Escapes with save
Rotowire
Pagan allowed one run on three hits in Friday's win over Kansas City. He struck out one and earned a save.
Pagan coughed up a solo home run to Emmanual Rivera followed by a pair of two-out singles. He ended up throwing 14 of 19 pitches for strikes to secure the 6-4 win. It was the first time he's allowed an earned run since April 26 and his season ERA bumped up to 2.13. Pagan has converted six out of seven save chances with a 16:10 K:BB through 12.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Notches fifth save
Rotowire
Pagan allowed one hit in a scoreless inning during Sunday's win over the Guardians. He struck out one and earned the save.
Pagan gave up a two-out double to Amed Rosario but finished off a scoreless frame with just 10 pitches. The 31-year-old has now converted five out of six save chances with a 1.54 ERA this season. Pagan threw an inning in each of the last three games, so he'll likely be unavailable Monday against Oakland.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Collects third save
Rotowire
Pagan gave up a hit and walked two batters in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 2-1 win over the A's. He struck out two.
After loading the bases with one out, Pagan was able to escape the jam on a Seth Brown fielder's choice that retired Sheldon Neuse at the plate, before the right-hander fanned Chad Pinder to end the contest. Pagan has a seemingly respectable 2.35 ERA through 7.2 innings and has converted three of four save chances, but his ghastly 25.0 percent walk rate highlights just how close to disaster he's come on multiple occasions. If the veteran can't sharpen his control, it could be only a matter of time before rookie flamethrower Jhoan Duran takes over the closer role for the Twins.
