Glen Perkins

Perkins' career is in doubt after he had surgery in July to repair a labrum in his left shoulder that had become completely detached from the shoulder bone. He entered spring training recovering from a bulging disc in his back that prematurely ended his 2015 season. While he was healthy he had a noticeable decline in velocity. Sure enough, he landed on the DL after just two games and chose surgery later in the season. Few pitchers return to their prior form after extensive labrum procedures, so Perkins faces a long road back. The Twins won't be counting on him in any capacity, so he's a long shot to reclaim the closer role.

Perkins may have been the best reliever in baseball before a bulging disc in his neck became an issue in August. Perkins had a 2.66 ERA with a 43:8 K:BB ratio in 47.1 innings before his neck became an issue and he needed a cortisone injection on Aug.19. He made just eight appearances with a 6.58 ERA the rest of the season. Perkins' strikeout rate had fallen slightly even before his injury (8.2 K/9) but he still has enough velocity (93.7 mph average fastball) with outstanding control (1.58 BB/9) to thrive in the closer role. However, his durability is now a concern as he's broken down in the second half for a second consecutive season. The Twins may try to pace his workload as a result. Still, as long as he enters spring training healthy he's in the prime of his career and set as Minnesota's closer.

Perkins was having another stellar season as Minnesota's closer before an arm injury limited him in September. Perkins had a 2.72 ERA, 32 saves and 65:9 K:BB ratio in 59 innings through the end of August, but gave up eight runs with just one strikeout in 5.1 innings in September. He was eventually shut down the final week with a left forearm strain and secondary nerve irritation in his elbow. Luckily, there was no structural damage, but his health will be something to watch in spring training. If his arm isn't an issue, Perkins should be in line for another successful season as Minnesota's closer.

Perkins proved that his success as a closer in 2012 was no fluke and he's entrenched as Minnesota's stopper and one of the top relief options in the AL. Perkins increased his strikeout rate to 11.1 K/9 while maintaining good control. He's also proven durable by pitching in 60 or more games three seasons in a row after injures plagued him earlier in his career. Although he's left-handed, the Twins haven't been tempted to use him earlier in games against lefty hitters. He made just one appearance last year before the ninth inning. Both last season and for his career, he's actually slightly better against right-handed hitters than left-handed hitters, which has helped him avoid becoming a lefty specialist. While using him earlier in games may be a better use in real baseball terms, using him in only save situations boosts his fantasy value. He should be set for another successful season as Minnesota's closer given his high strikeout rate and usage patterns.

Perkins enters 2013 as Minnesota's closer after his role in the bullpen grew last season as he proved his career revival as a max effort reliever was no fluke. Perkins had a breakout season in 2011 as a reliever as he saw increases in both his velocity and strikeout rate. Those trends continued in 2012 as he had the best average fastball velocity of his career (95.2 mph) and struck out 10.0 K/9. Perkins took over the closer role when Matt Capps got hurt in July and converted 16-of-20 save chances. He did share the role for about a month with Jared Burton as the Twins often used Perkins against key lefties in earlier innings. And being left-handed is about the only negative for him as a closer in 2013 as the Twins may continue to pick spots where he's used earlier in the game against a key left-handed batter. However, manager Ron Gardenhire has not had a problem using a lefty as a closer (most notably Eddie Guardado) and Perkins held the role exclusively in September. The biggest worry for Perkins may be his durability as the last two seasons have been the healthiest of his career. Still, he's set to enter 2013 as Minnesota's closer and his strikeout rates suggest he'll thrive in the role.

Perkins rebuilt his career last season in a setup role after struggling with injuries and lacking the team's confidence the previous two seasons. Perkins saw a two mph average increase on his fastball compared to his career best last season that resulted in a big jump in his strikeout rate to 9.49 K/9IP and resulted in a strong 65:21 K:BB ratio in 61.2 innings. He had two saves and was used in high-leverage situations late in games, but the Twins likely want him to return as a setup man given his lack of experience as a closer, his shaky injury history and since he's left-handed (although he's been no better against lefties than righties in his career). He also struggled late in the season with a 4.35 ERA and 19:9 K:BB ratio in 20.2 innings after August 1. Still, his strong strikeout rate and good control out of the bullpen should make him a valuable staff filler if he stays healthy.

After an injury-plagued 2009 season, Perkins was mostly relegated to Triple-A in 2010 and his role for 2011 is uncertain. Perkins began the season at Triple-A and struggled in the first half with a 6.98 ERA. He improved in the second half with a 3.11 ERA and was called up to Minnesota in August and mostly pitched in relief. Despite a poor ERA, Perkins did post decent peripheral numbers at Triple-A with a decent strikeout rate (7.1 K/9IP), improved control (98:36 K:BB ratio) and slightly improved groundball rate. He'll be a candidate for a relief role this spring as another lefty in the bullpen (even though he's been no better against lefties than righties in his career), but more likely begins the season in the Triple-A rotation. He's a candidate to enter the rotation if a spot opens or to be traded, but don't get too excited given his underwhelming peripheral numbers during his career.

Perkins' future with the Twins is in doubt after an injury-plagued 2009 season that saw him have a disagreement with management about his injury rehab. He started the season in the starting rotation and after a strong April he struggled after experiencing a sore elbow in May (He had a 6.79 ERA after May 1). His injury problems continued and he didn't pitch after August. He accused the Twins of failing to give him a second opinion on a shoulder injury and keeping him in the minors to postpone his eligibility for arbitration. When healthy, Perkins doesn't have great peripheral stats despite his success in 2008. He strikes out fewer than five batters per inning, has just mediocre control (119:62 K:BB ratio the past two years) and gives up too many home runs (more than one per nine innings). If he stays with the Twins, he'll be a candidate for a fifth starter role, but more likely could become a lefty specialist in the bullpen.

Perkins enters 2009 with a spot in the Minnesota rotation after going 12-4 in his first full season as a starter. The Twins weren't sure if Perkins' future was as a lefty in the bullpen or as a starter, but he got his chance in May and put up a quality start in six of his first nine outings. Despite a strong win percentage, there are plenty of red flags. Despite strong strikeout rates in the minors, Perkins struck out just 4.41 batters per nine innings and gave up 25 home runs in 26 starts. He also wore down with a 9.42 ERA in September. Still, he enters 2009 with a spot in the rotation, walks few batters and could have upside in leagues with strikeouts if he can regain his minor league form.

Perkins, Minnesota's 2004 first-round pick, was used in the bullpen as a lefty-specialist after Dennys Reyes got hurt and was holding his own with a 3.80 ERA before suffering a shoulder injury in May. He missed the next four months with a strained teres major muscle in his left arm before returning to appear in seven games in late September. He struck out nearly a batter per inning in the minors with good control and projects to be a middle of the rotation starter. The Twins have said they want him to become a starter again, but it will be tempting this spring to keep him in the bullpen as a swingman and second lefty. Still, he'll fight for a rotation spot and may need more time at Triple-A.

Perkins could win a job in the Minnesota bullpen this spring and may be a darkhorse candidate for a spot in the rotation. A 2004 first-round draft pick, he struggled at Double-A due to a sore shoulder, but was 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA after being recalled to Triple-A and made a strong impression during a surprise call-up to the majors. The Twins were high enough on his talent that he was included on the playoff roster. While he may need more time in Triple-A, he's a name to watch this spring.

Perkins, a 2004 first-round draft pick, dominated both Single-A levels, but was not as effective after being promoted in the middle of last year to Double-A. Hitters learned to lay off his changeup and were not as easily fooled by his fastball/slider combination. He had a strong AFL (39/6 K/BB ratio in 32 innings with a 2.53 ERA), so he should rebound this season. A strong year at Double-A could have him in contention for a big league job at some point in 2007.

One of Minnesota's three 2004 first-round draft picks, Perkins had an outstanding first professional season and should be on the fast track for the majors. He posted a 49/12 K/BB ratio with more than a strikeout per inning for Low-A Quad Cities. He'll start the season at High-A Fort Myers and could rise quickly in the system with another strong year.

The former college southpaw is short at 5-10 but shows good polish and command of three pitches. He’s not overpowering, hitting the low-90s with his fastball, but is a solid competitor who doesn't overthrow or get himself in trouble.