Daniel

Descalso

Descalso is a ten-year MLB veteran who last played in 2019 with the Chicago Cubs. Over his career, Descalso registered a .235 batting average while averaging seven home runs, 44 RBI, and 49 runs scored per 162 games. He played his first five major league seasons with the Cardinals and will now be reunited with the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2007 draft. Joe McEwing will move to a special assistant role under president of baseball operations John Mozeliak to make room for Descalso.

Descalso inked a minor-league deal with the Twins back in May and opted out of his deal earlier this week. The 34-year-old utility specialist was hitting .093/.244/.200 with two homers across 24 games at Triple-A St. Paul.

Descalso will report to Triple-A St. Paul. The infielder didn’t (appear) to see much interest in the offseason after the Cubs declined his $3.5 million option for 2021; instead paying a $1 million buyout. Descalso is a strong defender who can play a few different positions, so he could help the Twins bench before 2021 comes to an end.

Descalso is a fine defensive player but not much of a hitter, and $3.5 million might be more than the going rate for bench players next year anyway after the free agent chill expected this winter. He’ll vie for a major league gig with hundreds of others this offseason.

Descalso fouled a ball off his leg on Wednesday. It didn’t appear to be a serious thing, but obviously it was bad enough to essentially rule him out for most of this season.

Perhaps because of his ankle injury, Descalso has been a real liability while hitting .181/.283/.263 in 185 plate appearances this season. There’s little reason for the Cubs to try to work him in the lineup now, especially since they also have Ben Zobrist back.

He’s missed the last few weeks with a sprained ankle. Descalso should be ready for activation before the end of the month.

This isn’t the first time this season that Descalso’s troublesome left ankle has given him issues. The 32-year-old has been a disaster at the plate this season, hitting an anemic .181/.283/.263 with two homers, 15 RBI and a 52/23 K/BB ratio across 185 plate appearances. His job could potentially be in jeopardy once Ben Zobrist is ready to return.

It’s a rare day off for the star shortstop. Addison Russell is filling in at short and Daniel Descalso will be his double play partner.

It’s just a day of rest. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate and catch Cole Hamels. Also of note, Carlos Gonzalez is in right field while Daniel Descalso is at second base.