Dave

Gassner

Gassner could be called up before the season is over if the Twins face a lineup with a lot of lefties. He was 1-0 with a 5.87 ERA in two starts last season for the Twins.

Gassner, briefly the Twins’ fifth starter while Carlos Silva was on the DL early last season, was expected to be a part of Triple-A Rochester’s rotation.

Surgery apparently isn’t included in the current plan. Gassner will be a part of Triple-A Rochester’s rotation once healthy.

Gassner will be optioned to the minors once he’s ready to pitch, something that should happen before the end of April.

Silva isn’t eligible to return until Friday and the Twins don’t have a day off next week, so Gassner will be needed on Thursday. He’ll be sent down the following day unless another roster spot opens up.

Gassner will head back to Triple-A tomorrow to make room on the roster for Carlos Silva.

Gassner went 1-0 with a 5.87 ERA in his two starts for the Twins.

He joins Scott Erickson and Eric Milton as the only Twins since 1980 to win in their major league debut. Despite the solid performance, Gassner still figures to return to Triple-A when Carlos Silva returns Friday.

Gassner had a nice year at Triple-A Rochester to get added to Minnesota’s 40-man roster in the offseason, but his stuff is below average. Any success he experiences as a starting pitcher is likely to be short-lived. He’s not recommended in AL-only leagues.

Gassner’s stay may be considerably shorter than anticipated if the news on Carlos Silva’s knee continues to look good. He’ll make his first start Saturday.