TORONTO — The struggling Minnesota Twins You arrived in Toronto without a regular right fielder Max Kepler And relief pitchers Emilio Pagán, Caleb Thielbar And Trevor Megill To comply with the COVID-19 mandate of the Canadian government, you can be added to the restricted list
The three-game series against Blue Jays will be without the four players. The Twins had been waiting until Friday night to announce their replacements. Canada requires anyone traveling to the country To have received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The second must be at least 14 days prior to entry.
Pagán discussed his decision not to get a shot with reporters before the Twins departed for Toronto.
“I know that there are going to be people that are very angry for this opinion and the stance, but that’s fine,” Pagán said. “I felt like I had a choice, and they have a choice as to whether they are going to be mad or not.”
Pagán was the losing pitcher on Thursday afternoon in Detroit After allowing a 2-run homer to Daz Cameron In the eighth inning of a loss by 3-2. He is one of the relievers in the eighth inning for the AL Central-leading Twins who have lost seven of their last ten games to bottom-dwellers Detroit (Kansas City) and Detroit.
“I’ve gone to every guy in this locker room and explained where I was, and how I came up with my decision, and apologized because I do know it’s hurting the team,” the 31-year-old Pagán said. “I don’t believe that this is a baseball decision. This is Canada’s government. This is not an MLB rule.
Kepler is a German-born player in his seventh full season of the majors.
Thielbar, lefty in the bullpen’s most popular position, has a 5.59 ERA, with 23 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings. Megill is a righty in his debut season with the Twins. He has a 1.04 ERA, with 12 strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings.
The Twins came into June with a very depleted roster. They had a long list of injured players, including starting pitcher Sonny Gray as well as rookie shortstop. Royce Lewis. A few players have COVID-19. Carlos Correa Starter pitcher Joe Ryan.
Pagán is 1-2 with seven saves and a 3.00 ERA in 18 games this season. Pagan was traded to San Diego, where he received relief pitchers. Taylor Rogers To the Padres. Start pitcher Chris PaddackThe deal was also signed by Judith, who came to Minnesota as part of the deal. Upon recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, he will be done for the next year.
Blue Jays players not permitted to travel into Canada because they are vaccinated will not receive compensation for games missed. The 2022 season will see the expiration of the agreement with MLB Players Association that covers unvaccinated players as well as travel to Canada.
This is a problem that all teams will face when playing road games in Toronto. It could get worse if the Blue Jays go on to the playoffs. If their opponent were to be the Twins, Pagán said he wouldn’t rule out getting vaccinated then.
“Yes, it’s true, I have thought about it. “I thought about doing something to make it possible to go this year,” he stated. It’s not that I am anti-medicine. I felt that I made the best decision for me at this moment. There are always options. Studies change. I’m not interested in science. I’m not a scientist. While I don’t agree with it 100%, I will make a decision I feel comfortable with. Right now, however, when I think about it, it makes me anxious.