Bowyer making case for call-up

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

The Twins seriously contemplated calling up hard-throwing relief pitcher Travis Bowyer in the wake of set-up man Juan Rincon getting suspended for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug last Monday.

But with the uncertainty of starter Kyle Lohse's injured shoulder, the Twins called up Scott Baker from Class AAA Rochester.

Still, Bowyer's call-up might not be too far off. The right-hander has been baffling AAA batters, and through Thursday he had not allowed a run in his last eight appearances (11 innings) with Rochester. In 10 appearances this season, Bowyer, 23, was 1-0 with a 1.76 earned-run average and had 19 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings.

'He's had some success now, and I think he's really got it going,' said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. 'He's got the confidence going.'

Bowyer, a 20th-round pick in 1999, is the leading candidate to receive a call-up if the Twins need to fill a void in the bullpen.

Corky arrives

Catcher Corky Miller was scheduled to join Rochester for its game in Pawtucket, R.I., on Friday, Rantz said.

Having cleared waivers and been outrighted to Rochester early last week, Miller is no longer on the 40-man roster. Rochester catcher Rob Bowen remains the only minor-league catcher on the 40-man, but Miller would be the first option if the Twins need to fill a void at the position. The veteran gives the Twins catching depth they did not have in the minors last year.

Bell rung

Class AA New Britain hopes its problems have been solved at third base with the signing of Ricky Bell on Thursday.

Bell, 26, is the son of former major-league third baseman and manager Buddy Bell and the grandson of former Cincinnati Reds slugger Gus Bell. Ricky's older brother, David, is the third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies.

This season, New Britain manager Stan Cliburn had rotated four players at third base.

Bell has been a career minor leaguer, after the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him in the third round in 1997. He batted .302 with 12 home runs for Class AAA Las Vegas in 2004.

Briefly

Rochester manager Phil Roof, who is on an indefinite leave of absence from the team to be with his wife, Marie, who is battling cancer, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle last week that he might be able to return to work this season.

There is more Mauer injury news. No, Joe is fine. This regards the Twins catcher's older brothers — Jake and Billy. Jake, an infielder with New Britain, was placed on the disabled list Friday with an elbow injury. Billy, a pitcher for Class A Beloit, was activated from the disabled list the same day.

Left-handed pitching prospect Francisco Liriano of New Britain rebounded from his rough April 29 start, not allowing a run in seven innings Wednesday.