JORGE ALCALA NEWS

Twins pick up $1.5 million option on reliever Jorge Alcala for next season

The Minnesota Twins have exercised their $1.5 million club option for reliever Jorge Alcala

NOVEMBER 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Option exercised The Twins exercised Alcala's $1.5 million club option for 2025, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Alcala spent some time in the minors in 2024 but pitched well over 58.1 innings with the Twins, posting a 3.24 ERA and 58:20 K:BB over 58.1 frames. He'll be used in middle relief in 2025.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Up from St. Paul The Twins recalled Alcala from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Impact Alcala owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 20 innings in the majors since the All-Star break, but he'll be called upon to give the Twins a fresh bullpen arm as they fight to secure a wild-card spot. He'll take the place of Brent Headrick, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Twins' choice to demote Jorge Alcala came partly because of need for lengthier outings The Twins’ rookie-filled starting rotation had something to do with Jorge Alcala’s demotion to Class AAA St. Paul, which became official Tue...

SEPTEMBER 18 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins option reliever Jorge Alcala to Triple-A, activate newly acquired Irvin The Twins claimed Irvin off waivers on Monday but it’s a bit surprising to see Alcala optioned as the corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 17 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Moved to minors Alcala was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact The Twins have elected to demote Alcala in order to make room for Cole Irvin, who was claimed off waivers earlier in the day. Alcala's recent performance likely led to the demotion, as he's allowed three runs in his last three appearances out of the bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

De La Cruz's first big league grand slam keys Reds to 8-4 win over Twins

Elly De La Cruz hit his first big league grand slam in a six-run seventh inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Minnesota Twins 8-4

SEPTEMBER 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Larnach hits a 3-run homer as the Twins beat the Rays 5-4

Trevor Larnach and Brooks Lee homered to help the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4

SEPTEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins' Jorge Alcala says he feels well despite August struggles out of bullpen The righthander had been one of the Twins’ most effective relievers until recently, but he credits batters for their success.

AUGUST 31 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins teammates rally to support Jorge Alcala after awful seventh inning Twins reliever Jose Alcala gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning, turning a four-run lead into a one-run deficit in the Twins’ 6-5, 1...

AUGUST 19 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Santana's sacrifice fly in 9th off All-Star closer Yates sends Twins past Rangers 3-2

Carlos Santana hit a sacrifice fly off All-Star closer Kirby Yates in the ninth inning and the playoff-contending Minnesota Twins beat Texas 3-2

AUGUST 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Career-high velocity Alcala allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning Saturday against Seattle. He reached a career-high 101.2 mph on the radar gun, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapo...

Impact Alcala has been an impact setup man for the Twins since returning from his inexplicable demotions to Triple-A in May and April. Alcala has a 1.05 ERA with a 19:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings since returning to the majors in late May.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Marte knocks in go-ahead run in 7th and Diamondbacks edge Twins 5-4

Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer in the first inning and drove in the go-ahead run with an infield hit in the seventh as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4

JUNE 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays stop Twins' winning streak at 6 with 3-2 victory, after Royce Lewis' 10th-inning throwing error

The Tampa Bay Rays scored on a throwing error by Minnesota's Royce Lewis with two outs in the 10th inning for a 3-2 victory that stopped the Twins’ six-game winning streak

JUNE 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins reliever Jorge Alcala strong since returns from minor leagues Returning to the bullpen, his 100-mph fastball and dancing slider has had coaches and teammates buzzing.

MAY 30 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Rojas and France help the Mariners knock off the Twins 10-6

Josh Rojas and Ty France each hit an RBI single during Seattle’s four-run ninth inning, and the Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 10-6

MAY 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Throws two scoreless innings Alcala threw two scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. He's thrown 2.2 scoreless innings in two games this season.

Impact Alcala hurt his hand late in spring training (struck in the right hand by a line drive) but it has not been an issue during the regular season. After two injury-plagued seasons, Alcala could move into a higher leverage role later this season. He features a plus fastball but control as been a recent problem (5.2 BB/9 last season), so keep an eye on his walk rate.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers smash Twins 12-3. Louie Varland hit hard; Jorge Alcala walks off mound with trainer. Louie Varland made his first start since winning a spot in the Twins rotation. It did not go well at all.

MARCH 20 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Healthy again, Alcala trying to prove he belongs in Twins' bullpen FORT MYERS, FLA. - As several relievers compete for the final spot or two in the Twins bullpen, Jorge Alcala stands out with arguably the mo...

MARCH 14 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Healthy again, Alcala trying to prove he belongs in Twins' bullpen FORT MYERS, FLA. - As several relievers compete for the final spot or two in the Twins bullpen, Jorge Alcala stands out with arguably the mo...

MARCH 14 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Fully healthy Alcala looks to contribute to bullpen NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Jorge Alcala is back to being healthy and throwing hard, which is a meaningful step in getting him back to being who he...

FEBRUARY 29 • MLB.COM

Agrees to terms Alcala agreed to a one-year, $790K deal with the Twins on Thursday that includes a $1.5 million club option for 2025, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alcala gets a $55,000 buyout if the Twins decline the 2025 option. The 28-year-old righty has sat around 95 mph with his fastball over the past two seasons after previously sitting around 97 mph in 2020 and 2021. He has been limited by injuries the past two seasons and will likely work in low-leverage situations initially in 2024.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Twins reinstate RHP Jorge Alcala from rehab assignment The Minnesota Twins announced Sunday that they have reinstated right-handed pitcher Jorge Alcala from his rebab assignment.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Activated Sunday Alcala (forearm) was activated from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact He logged a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in six innings over five rehab appearances. Alcala hasn't pitched since Sept. 22, so he could see action in the season finale against the Rockies.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment Alcala (forearm) began a rehab assignment with Low-A Fort Myers on Saturday, broadcaster John Vittas reports.

Impact Alcala struck out a pair in a clean inning and averaged 97.5 mph with his fastball. It was the first game appearance for the 28-year-old since he was diagnosed with a radial stress fracture of his right forearm back in mid-May. Alcala is aiming to rejoin the Twins' bullpen later this month.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE