Twins’ Garlick loses some sleep over latest callup – InForum

Highly caffeinated Kyle Garlick started Saturday night for the Minnesota Twins after being recalled by the Triple-A Saints. Garlick replaces outfielder/first baseman Joey Gallo, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

Garlick received the news at 10:30 p.m. Friday in Buffalo after playing a game for the Saints. He went to bed late after packing and was woken up at 4am. His flight, which included a stopover in Chicago, landed him in Minneapolis at 10 a.m., allowing for a brief nap before heading to the ballpark.

“We’re struggling a little,” Garlick said before the game. “But I have my Starbucks and I’m mentally preparing to go tonight.”

This is Garlick’s third appearance with the Twins this season and he said he had no idea the latest move was imminent.

“We hung out in the clubhouse after the game (Friday night) and just played some cards,” he said. “Then we see (Saints manager) Toby (Gardenhire) come to the table. There were a handful of us who could have been drafted. (Matt) Wallner goes to Buffalo. (Trevor) Larnach is down there in rehab. And (Jose) Miranda is starting to change things up a bit.”

Part of the reason right-hander Garlick got the call is that the Twins will be up against a slew of left-handed pitchers in the coming days, including Saturday. Wallner is left-handed.

Garlick hit a few homers last week and hit four runs with the Saints. He said he feels comfortable on the record after making some adjustments last time with the Twins.

“I felt like my attitude and demeanor was a little bit different from years past,” Garlick said. “If I just stand a little bit more upright I think I can see the ball a little bit better. My swings were good but I think it influenced my swing selection.

“I think I’m swinging at better pitches and getting into better counts.”

Gallo was left out of the squad late on Thursday after suffering a hamstring strain that he was struggling with. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli then said the plan was to keep Gallo on the sidelines for a few days and decide if that meant sending him to the IL going forward.

Baldelli was away from the stadium and missed his regular pre-game media session due to stomach problems that he believes started overnight. He informed the team that he hoped to make it to the ballpark by game time and sat in the dugout on field one.

Bench coach Jayce Tingler called Baldelli ahead of the game to finalize the lineup. Their choices were limited as shortstop Carlos Correa was still sidelined with left foot plantar fasciitis and designated hitter Byron Buxton was still in pain after being hit in the ribs on a pitch on Thursday. Kyle Farmer was about to start his second straight game.

Tingler said he will check with Buxton if he is available for a pinch hit. Alex Kirilloff got the day off after playing regularly at first base, and with Ryan Jeffers serving as DH, the only other player on the bench was Twins outfielder Max Kepler.