Two More Cuts

Joe Christensen reports that the Twins have cut two more players. Lefty Errol Simonitsch has been optioned to AAA Rochester, and lefty Jose Mijares has been optioned to AA New Britain.

It's no surprise that these two guys have been cut -- neither was going to make the roster out of spring training. What is surprising to me, however, is that Simonitsch was optioned to Rochester. He is, after all, a starting pitcher, and the Rochester rotation is going to be jam-packed with talent almost no matter how you look at it. For instance, here's one possible rotation, assuming that Sidney Ponson made the Twins roster:

Matt Garza
Glen Perkins
Scott Baker
Kevin Slowey
Jeremy Cummings / Dave Gassner

Where does Simonitsch fit? Even if Gassner is released (which is possible - the Twins unceremoniously dropped him from the 40-man roster last fall), Cummings has pitched very well this spring and, like Simonitsch, is primarily a starter. Considering that Simonitsch had his worst year as a professional with New Britain last year, it seemed logical for him to end up in New Britain at the start of this season as well. Doesn't look now like that's going to happen (of course, the Twins could always change course and demote him when the season starts).

Jose Mijares, meanwhile, seemed destined to end up in New Britain after a strong season in Ft. Myers. This one makes perfect sense.