St. Paul – The Saints bolstered their bullpen again with another veteran reliever joining the ranks. 13-year-MLB right-hander Erasmo Ramirez was activated from the 60-day injured list on July 1, after they shut him down in spring training with right shoulder inflammation.
Ramirez was one of many bullpen candidates on the outside looking in, coming into camp, who looked as though he could crack the last bullpen spot on Minnesota’s roster before he got hurt. The stint on the IL was one of the longest in his career, but he’s grateful for how the Twins took their time with his healing rather than rush the process as the Seattle Mariners did with him in 2018.
“This time, you know how I said, I’m grateful they had the patience so we’d build up, get my strength back, and when I came back, I was just the normal 91, 92 [mph],” said Ramirez on his recovery. “So I didn’t lose a lot, but I gained a lot of experience about how to take care of my body and every day how to get my routine going.”
Since joining the Saints bullpen, Ramirez has made four relief appearances and had two outings where they’ve asked him to get six outs. The first outing went well. He allowed only two hits and struck out three in two innings.
Ramirez’s last time out didn’t go so well. He pitched the ninth for the Saints on Saturday, allowing four runs, three of them earned, and two on a two-run homer by former Cleveland Guardians outfielder Greg Allen.
His bad outing on Saturday inflated his ERA from 2.25 to an even 6.00. Still, one bad outing won’t keep Ramirez down for long. He missed plenty of time this season with the right shoulder strain. However, no matter his results, he’s just happy to be back out on the mound.
“It was a long wait,” he said. “I’m just so happy and so grateful that the team had the patience and they gave me time to recover, and now I’m here just doing what I do best. Which is challenging hitters and let my defense play.”
Ramirez has also been a welcoming presence for the Saints' clubhouse in the short time he’s been with the team. Like fellow reliever Michael Tonkin, he’s been around professional baseball longer than almost every member of the team or coaching staff save Saints manager Toby Gardenhire and pitching coach Carlos Hernadez. As a result, he’s another pitcher that younger players and even coaches are gravitating towards for advice from the 18-year veteran.
“It’s been fun for Carlos and I, as well, getting to see his approach to his workday and competition,” said fellow Saints pitching coach Jonas Lovin. “So much value to be gained from listening to him talk about how he’d attack a hitter, how he’d play certain pitches off others, how his approach or prep has changed over the years.”
“It’s just about every day you show up, it’s not about being the veteran and showing off you’re the veteran,” Ramirez said. “It’s just about being humble, and if you’re going to help, do it the right way. Don’t just be in the middle, and don’t help. If you see something, just say it. If they take it, that’s good; if they don’t take it, at least you tried.”
Most importantly for him is how well his arm feels after every outing dating back to the start of his rehab assignment on June 20. He’s rarely felt fatigue in his lateral muscle, and he’s only felt general soreness the day after throwing when he goes two or more innings. Fortunately, his latest outing came ahead of the Triple-A All-Star break, giving him plenty of time to rest up for a week before the Saints resume action in Louisville.
“Well, everything’s been amazing, almost like the body has come back to normal,” said Ramirez. “The recovery of my arm and like when I was the younger version of me, like I pitch today, tomorrow, almost feels like I didn’t pitch at all.”
As is the case with any MLB veteran in the minors, Ramriez is doing all he can to get back into the majors this season. If the Twins find themselves as sellers this trade deadline, it’s more than likely he ends up in their bullpen for the final months of the season. If there are buyers, then he might have to wait a while longer for a spot to open.
Either way, Ramirez is keeping his focus on the present, doing everything he can to ensure the opportunity presents itself with the Twins this season. While he remains with the Saints, his teammates and coaches will continue to absorb the information he provides, thereby improving themselves and the entire pitching staff.
“Sometimes it takes a little time, sometimes it takes a long time, but I’m just hoping that my work is good enough and they give me a shot,” Ramirez said.
“Priceless information right at your fingertips every single day,” said Lovin. “He’s the man.”
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