MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins third baseman Danny Valencia has only been back in the majors for five games, so the sample size is small. But after a home run Wednesday in a 4-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox, it appears Valencia's bat may be coming back after spending most of the season with Triple-A Rochester.
Valencia took White Sox starter Jake Peavy deep in the second inning, a solo shot to left field that put the Twins up 2-1 at the time. Valencia connected on a 1-2 slider from Peavy for his second home run of the year.
In fact, Valencia's only other homer with the Twins this season came way back on April 23 against Boston starter Jon Lester.
"I was able to get a good swing on that one and get the barrel on it, so that felt good. But it's about wins and losses, and today we came up short."
Peavy, who went eight innings and allowed just one earned run Wednesday, had his way with the Twins for most of the afternoon, and that included Valencia in his next two at-bats against the White Sox right-hander. Peavy got Valencia to ground out to end the fourth inning and struck him out three innings later to finish the seventh. For Valencia, it was his fourth strikeout since his return.
"His fastball's very sneaky. It gets on you," Valencia said of Peavy. "He can throw all three of his pitches for strikes, so that makes it even tougher. He did a really good job today."
Valencia was called up this past weekend after the Twins placed third baseman Trevor Plouffe on the disabled list with a thumb injury. It was partially due to Plouffe's strong play at third that Valencia stayed at Rochester so long after his demotion in early May. When he went down to the minors, Valencia was batting just .190 with a .204 on-base percentage and 11 RBI in 27 games.
With the Red Wings, Valencia batted .250 with a .289 on-base percentage in 69 games, including seven homers. In his first five games back, Valencia has five hits, including Wednesday's homer. He also drew a walk in Wednesday's loss, working an eight-pitch at-bat against White Sox reliever Addison Reed.
"He put one in the seats, had some other really good at-bats," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Valencia. "He's getting after it pretty good. He was swinging better down there (in Rochester) and he's come right up here with it."
It remains to be seen how — or, better yet, if — Plouffe and Valencia can coexist on the same 25-man lineup. Valencia is solely a third baseman, while Plouffe can move around the infield a bit. But Minnesota has used Brian Dozier consistently at shortstop, while mixing Jamey Carroll and Alexi Casilla at second base.
When Valencia was demoted, Plouffe had yet to prove his worth as an everyday third baseman. Plouffe actually began the season as a backup outfielder and utility infielder. Before his injury, though, he had played 37 consecutive games at third base.
Valencia showed in 2010 that he belongs in the majors, when he hit .311 with 40 RBI and seven homers in 85 games. But he took a step backwards in 2011 (.246/.294/.383 in 154 games) and again at the beginning of 2012.
Now, the next week or so could be important for Valencia as he tries to prove he deserves to stay with the Twins when Plouffe does return.
"You're out there playing baseball. You're trying to be competitive, you're trying to play hard, trying to help your team win," Valencia said, when asked if he feels he has something to prove. "Doing those things, making those plays and swinging the bat well is all part of it."
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