Victorian Lewis Thorpe will start for Minnesota in its series-opener against Pittsburgh tomorrow, MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park has reported.
Thorpe is expected to start for the Twins at Target Field after Homer Bailey was put on the 10-day injured list with right biceps tendinitis.
It will be the 24-year-old’s first start of 2020 after two scoreless appearances out of the bullpen. Thorpe made his MLB debut in a start for Minnesota last June and also started a game against Cleveland in September.
His other 12 big league outings have come as a reliever. Thorpe has not allowed a run in 4 2/3 innings in 2020.
The left-hander tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his season debut, a 14-2 win over the Chicago White Sox, on June 26. Thorpe issued two walks but the only hit he gave up came on a liner that hit his leg and deflected away.
It forced the former Victorian State Team representative and Doncaster and Greenhills Montmorency junior pitcher from the game. He next appeared on June 30 and worked two scoreless frames in a 2-0 loss to Cleveland as the Twins’ offence failed to fire.
Thorpe allowed two hits and recorded one strikeout. He allowed seven runs on 12 hits across 8 2/3 innings in his two starts in 2019. Thorpe struck out 13 across his pair of starts.
Minnesota leads the American League Central with a 7-2 record after edging the Indians 3-1 earlier today.
First pitch in Thorpe’s slated start against the Pirates is set for 10.10am AEST.
Tune into the action with MLB.TV.
The Victorian Government announced today it will enter a State of Disaster from 6:00 PM tonight in addition to the State of Emergency for Victoria in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews this afternoon engaged Stage Three restrictions across regional Victoria and upgraded restrictions for Melbourne to Stage Four.
Baseball Victoria confirms the cessation of non-contact senior training and full-contact junior training and competition in regional Victoria (including Mitchell Shire) in conjunction with the return to Stage Three “Stay at Home” restrictions.
Given the current climate and the upcoming changes, Baseball Victoria has decided to cancel all baseball activities in regional Victoria from 6:00 PM this evening. In anticipation of the return to Stage Three lockdown, it is not necessary for regional baseball clubs to conduct training and in the interest of everyone’s safety, all training and games scheduled for Monday, 3 August and Tuesday, 4 August are cancelled.
Stage Three and Stage Four restrictions mean there is no baseball training, games, in-person meetings or club events. The regional Victoria junior competitions and senior non-contact training sessions now cease. With regional Victoria ceasing their junior competitions, it is unlikely that competition will be able to return after this six-week lockdown, therefore the winter associations are discussing the options available to them, and we will provide an update early this week.
Baseball Victoria is in regular communication with winter associations and winter/summer clubs to discuss the ever-changing landscape and how COVID-19 developments impact our sport, including the effect on the 2020/2021 VSBL season of summer baseball and our participation in national pathway events.
The Victorian Government’s updated restrictions will be in place for the next six weeks. The Victorian Government will continue to monitor the restrictions and any changes will be made in line with the advice from health experts, and Baseball Victoria will remain in regular contact with Sport and Recreation Victoria and Vicsport to provide clarification for our members.
From 6:00 PM tonight, Melbourne will move to Stage Four restrictions with stronger rules to limit the movement of people:
- That includes a curfew – from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM – beginning tonight. The only reasons to leave home during these hours will be work, medical care and caregiving.
- Exercise will be limited to a maximum of one hour per day and no more than five kilometres from your home. Group size will be limited to a maximum of two, whether you live with them or not.
- Shopping will be limited to one person per household per day. Again, the five-kilometre rule will apply.
- Face coverings will continue to be compulsory.
From 11:59 PM on Wednesday, regional Victoria (including Mitchell Shire) will return to Stage Three restrictions, including:
- There are only four reasons to be out: shopping for food and essential items, care and caregiving, daily exercise and work and study if you can’t do it from home.
- Restaurants and cafes can only offer delivery and takeaway. Entertainment, cultural venues, beauty and personal services will need to close. Community sport will need to stop.
- Face coverings will continue to be compulsory.
For further details on the latest announcements, please visit the official website of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services HERE and Sport and Recreation Victoria HERE.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic develops, there are many changes that impact our Victorian baseball community, and we recognise how challenging this situation is for everyone,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “As much as we miss baseball, our top priority is the health and wellbeing of our community. Staying home keeps everyone safe, and we will be here to support our Victorian baseballers during this difficult time.”
Baseball Victoria reminds members of the importance of checking in with one another and asking Are You Okay? A simple conversation can make a big difference during challenging situations. For more details on mental health resources and staying safe and healthy, please check out our COVID-19 resources page HERE.
Baseball Victoria awaits further updates on new workplace restrictions tomorrow, however the Baseball Victoria team of staff remains working from home as they have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Baseball Victoria Aces Academy will continue to be conducted online.
While we stay at home, we have a wide variety of training resources, most notably our At-Home Training Drills and Exercises on the BV TV YouTube channel.
Please view the Baseball Victoria COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions HERE for details on the shutdown of baseball activity as well as COVID-19 health questions, face masks and much more.
As a reminder, the COVIDSafe app is now available and will allow authorities to quickly track and control the spread of COVID-19. Please consider downloading the app to help save lives, protect the community and get baseball back as soon as possible. Click HERE to learn more.
For up-to-date information on keeping your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, including healthy hygiene, social distancing and face masks, please visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website HERE.
All further updates from Baseball Victoria will be available on the Baseball Victoria website and will also be communicated by the Baseball Victoria social media channels.
If you have any questions please contact Baseball Victoria, with full contact details available HERE.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to present At-Home Baseball Training: Drills and Exercises for the COVID-19 Break on BV TV, the new Baseball Victoria YouTube channel.
In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic and a break in all Victorian baseball activity, BV TV offers a series of training videos to help athletes stay on top of their training. At-Home Baseball Training offers guidance on drills recommended by Baseball Victoria Talent Development Manager Damian Shanahan.
“During this unique time where so much is changing, one thing can stay the same and that’s putting the effort in to train at home,” Shanahan said. “We don’t want you to miss your baseball, and we are looking forward to bringing you these videos that will help you stay in shape and continue training at home during the COVID-19 break.”
There are more than 50 At-Home Baseball Training videos currently on BV TV, with more content coming soon. This includes dedicated playlists for hitting, fielding, throwing and ball handling drills.
and follow along with the
At-Home Baseball Training: Drills and Exercises for the COVID-19 Break video series
Now that the 2020 MLB season is officially underway, every Friday we will take you around the grounds to check in on how our Aussie representatives are doing on baseball’s biggest stage as they chase their dreams and make their country proud.
LEWIS THORPE
Victorian Lewis Thorpe made his MLB season debut for the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, 26 July against the Chicago White Sox, entering at the top of the sixth in relief of Kenta Maeda.
Thorpe issued a walk to start the seventh but was able to get Danny Mendrick to ground into a double play.
In 2.2 innings pitched, Thorpe gave up one hit and two walks before exiting the mound, after a Jose Abreu ball back up the middle hit his left leg and left him limping.
Thorpe recovered and entered Thursday’s game against Cleveland, pitching two scoreless innings in his second outing of the season as the Twins fell to the Indians, 2-0.
Thorpe gave up two hits – one in the eighth and one in the ninth - to retain an ERA of 0.00 and record his first strikeout of the season. His six outs across the final two innings came on 20 pitches, 14 of them strikes.
Across the weekend, Minnesota continue their series against Cleveland and afterwards, will be staying at Target Field for a home series vs. Pittsburgh.
For up-to-date schedules, scores and live action from Thorpe and his Twins teammates, visit the official MLB website here.
AARON WHITEFIELD
Aaron Whitefield, also with the Minnesota Twins, became the 35th Australian to play MLB, making his debut at the same ballpark where teammate Thorpe made his first appearance last June. Whitefield entered the game as a pinch runner on Saturday, 25 July in a 10-3 loss to Chicago.
The Queenslander replaced left fielder Eddie Rosario who singled at the top of the ninth, but Whitefield wasn’t unable to advance as the final two Twins outs were made in quick succession.
On Sunday, 26 July, Whitefield was again asked to pinch run – this time in the eighth inning - replacing Jorge Polanco on first base.
Whitefield scored his first big league run in the 14-2 win, advancing on Nelson Cruz’s second home run of the game.
Whitefield stayed in the game through the bottom of the eighth in centre field and made a play to retire Chicago’s Tim Anderson while Thorpe was pitching.
The current Adelaide Giants player took his first at-bat of his Major League career - in his third big league game - on Wednesday, 29 July in a 3-0 Twins win against St Louis.
Whitefield entered as a defensive replacement in centre field to start the seventh inning and made two back-to-back plays in for the final two outs of the seventh.
Whitefield stepped up to the plate with two out in the bottom of the eighth and swung at the first pitch he saw from Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsey, chopping the ball to the righthand side and nearly beat out the throw to first.
Minnesota’s four-game series against Cleveland finishes on Saturday, before Thorpe and Whitefield turn their attention to hosting Pittsburgh from Sunday.
View the official MLB website here.
LIAM HENDRIKS
Liam Hendriks made his MLB season debut on Opening Day, Friday 24 July and despite blowing a save opportunity at the top of the ninth, Oakland prevailed as eventual 7-3 winners in extra innings thanks to a grand slam from first baseman Matt Olson.
Hendriks allowed two hits, one earned run and two strikeouts in one inning in the A’s first game of the season.
Returning to the mound at Oakland Colosseum in relief on Sunday 26 July, Hendriks picked up a four-out save with one strikeout as he preserved a two-run Athletics lead.
With his first save out of the way, the 2019 MLB All-Star will support Oakland in a series against Seattle starting on Friday before playing host to Texas from Tuesday.
Follow Oakland’s season on the official MLB website here.
Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 crisis across the state, particularly Victorian Government restrictions and how they apply to baseball.
For Saturday, 1 August and Sunday, 2 August 2020 until 11.59 PM, junior baseball competition in regional Victoria will continue as scheduled, aside from the Bendigo Association whom have suspended play this weekend.
The Victorian Government recommends the use of masks in regional Victoria, and the players, officials, coaches, volunteers and necessary spectators in attendance are encouraged to wear a face covering.
From 11.59 PM on Sunday, 2 August 2020, face coverings will become mandatory for regional Victoria, and everyone 12 years of age and over will be required to wear a face covering. This will include on-field activities, and Baseball Victoria will provide additional clarification on when face covers will be required and how this will be managed as part of our junior competition.
Currently, a return to full contract training and competition for seniors has not been confirmed for regional Victoria. The Victorian Government intended to make announcements regarding senior play this week, however this has been postponed to an undetermined timeframe and we will continue to keep the Victorian baseball community updated when we have more information.
Please view the Baseball Victoria COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions HERE for details on training and junior competitions in regional Victoria as well as COVID-19 health questions, face masks and much more.
As a reminder, the COVIDSafe app is now available and will allow authorities to quickly track and control the spread of COVID-19. Please consider downloading the app to help save lives, protect the community and get baseball back as soon as possible. Click HERE to learn more.
For up-to-date information on keeping your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, including healthy hygiene, social distancing and face masks, please visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website HERE.
We have our Ramp Up to Play: Drills and Exercises Program on our website and BV TV YouTube channel to prepare athletes for a return to activity and play, as well as At-Home Training Drills and Exercises.
All further updates from Baseball Victoria will be available on the Baseball Victoria website and will also be communicated by the Baseball Victoria social media channels.
If you have any questions please contact Baseball Victoria, with full contact details available HERE.
Victorian Lewis Thorpe has made the Minnesota Twins 30-man Opening Day roster as the shortened MLB season gets underway.
The Twins open the 60-game season on Friday, 24 July at the Chicago White Sox, the same stadium where Thorpe made his MLB debut on 30 June 2019, two days after being promoted to the Majors. He was solid in his first outing, throwing five innings, giving up just two runs with seven strikeouts in an eventual 4-3 loss with a rain delay ending his time on the mound.
Thorpe, who was one of four Australians named to a 60-man MLB player pool ahead of the season, will start off as a long reliever, with a shot to transition into the starting rotation if an opening becomes available. Last year, the left-hander made 12 appearances with 27.2 innings pitched for a 3-2 win-loss record and an ERA of 6.18 with 31 strikeouts.
Fellow Aussie Aaron Whitefield has also made the Twins 30-man roster, adding outfield depth with a chance to follow in Thorpe’s footsteps and become the 35th Australian to appear in the MLB. The country’s other MLB player pool representatives are Oakland Athletics reliever Liam Hendriks, who is on the team’s 30-man roster, and Melbourne Aces fan-favorite Allan de San Miguel in Kansas City.
As the 10th Victorian and 34th Australian to debut in the MLB, Thorpe has proven that dedication and determination can pay off, starting from the early days at the club level. Long before he was living his dream in the U.S., he was an up-and-coming junior player putting in time at Doncaster and Greenhills Montmorency Baseball Clubs.
Introduced to the sport by a family friend at the age of seven, Thorpe quickly unlocked his passion and rose up the junior ranks. As a teen, he was one of Doncaster’s main VSBL players to watch, and he furthered his development as a Victorian State Team representative.
Thorpe progressed through the Baseball Victoria High Performance Program and got the chance to play for his state on the national stage. He represented Victoria at the U14, U16 and U18 level and was a member of both the senior and junior Australian teams. He also attended the MLB Australian Academy Program.
“He was a standout player with both his summer and winter clubs plus several representative honours prior to his professional signing with the Twins,” Baseball Victoria Talent Development Manager Damian Shanahan said. “He was the starting pitcher in the historic 1-0 win over eventual gold medallist USA at the 2013 U18 World Championships in Taiwan, where Berwick’s Lachlan Madden was also part of the relief effort to hold onto the lead.”
The left-handed pitcher signed with the Twins organisation in 2012, made his ABL debut for the Melbourne Aces in 2013 and overcame Tommy John surgery in 2015 to climb back up the Minor League ranks.
Lachlan Craven, Vice President of Doncaster Baseball Club, once played alongside Thorpe and says the entire Dragons community is so proud of how far he’s come. “Seeing Lewis break into Major League Baseball last year was an immense thrill for everyone who's ever been associated with the Doncaster Baseball Club,” Craven said. “To have a player reach the pinnacle of the sport from both our and GMBC's programs is just amazing!”
Craven says the club recognised Thorpe as a special talent early on and has been supporting him ever since. “His junior teams led by Mark 'Lester' Ellis really were a golden era for the club and many of those players have and still are achieving great things,” Craven said. “Lewis' journey has been incredible so far and we are cheering for him daily. He has been able to achieve a dream that is so far out of sight for so many that it's almost like he is playing out our dreams for us. All of us at the Dragons wish him all the luck this year and we can't wait to see what is in store for him!”
Colin Booth, President of Greenhills Montmorency Baseball Club, shares similar sentiments on behalf of Thorpe’s beloved winter club. Thorpe was the second player from GMBC to make the MLB after James Beresford debut in 2016, also with the Twins. “We always thought he would get there, now the challenge is to stay there,” Booth said. “Lewis and Daniel McGrath were both playing at the same time, two young lefties who signed at the same time from the same club was a pretty awesome thing to witness.”
Booth says Thorpe’s success is a testament to what players can do if they put in the hard work and overcome challenges along the way. His accomplishments mean a lot to the club community. “His success helps us with promoting the club as a place where young players can develop at a pace that is in line with their mental and physical maturity,” Booth said. “It is great for our juniors to have people like Lewis to look up to and inspire them to achieve their dreams. Our goals for him are to have a long and successful MLB career and to establish himself as one of the great Aussies to have played over there.”
Baseball Victoria wishes Thorpe and his fellow Aussies the best of luck this MLB season. For up-to-date schedules and scores for Thorpe and his Twins teammates, visit the official MLB website here.
Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 crisis, particularly Victorian Government restrictions and how they apply to baseball across the state.
All baseball activity, including training and in-person committee meetings, is shutdown in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in accordance with the stage three restrictions, which were initially announced as a six-week lockdown starting at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, 8 July 2020.
At this time, no new restrictions on outdoor sport have been announced for regional Victoria, meaning non-contact training for seniors and full training and competition for juniors may continue for Bendigo Baseball Association, Geelong Baseball Association, Latrobe Valley Baseball Association, North Eastern Baseball Association and Sunraysia Baseball League.
On Sunday, 19 July, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced updated restrictions regarding the use of face masks in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, which go into effect at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, 22 July 2020.
- When leaving home for one of the four reasons (shopping for food and supplies, outdoor exercise and recreation, medical care or caregiving and study or work if you can't do it from home), people 12 years and older must wear a face covering, unless an exemption applies.
For people outside of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire:
- You are encouraged to wear a face covering when leaving home and if you are not able to keep 1.5 metres from others. If you need to travel into metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire then you must wear a face covering.
All baseball activity has ceased in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire for at least the duration of the stage three lockdown, therefore there is to be no coaching or training sessions.
Coaches continuing activity in regional Victoria are not required to wear face masks, but it's now encouraged by the Victorian Government.
Click HERE for more information from the Victorian government on wearing a face mask.
“We are closely following the evolving COVID-19 situation every day, so that we can keep our members up-to-date on current restrictions and the outlook on baseball activity throughout the state. The health and wellbeing of our Victorian baseball community remains our top priority,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “Despite the challenges of this year, we remain committed to doing what’s best for our baseballers and making sure our community has the help and support they need. We are navigating these trying times together, and we look forward to moving ahead with more baseball activity in the future, once it is safe and possible to do so.”
Baseball Victoria reminds members of the importance of checking in with one another and asking Are You Okay? A simple conversation can make a big difference during these times. For more details on mental health resources and staying safe and healthy, please check out our COVID-19 resources page HERE.
Please view the Baseball Victoria COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions HERE for details on training and junior competitions in regional Victoria as well as COVID-19 health questions, face masks and much more.
As a reminder, the COVIDSafe app is now available and will allow authorities to quickly track and control the spread of COVID-19. Please consider downloading the app to help save lives, protect the community and get baseball back as soon as possible. Click HERE to learn more.
For up-to-date information on keeping your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, including healthy hygiene, social distancing and face masks, please visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website HERE.
We have our Ramp Up to Play: Drills and Exercises Program on our website and BV TV YouTube channel to prepare athletes for a return to activity and play, as well as At-Home Training Drills and Exercises.
All further updates from Baseball Victoria will be available on the Baseball Victoria website and will also be communicated by the Baseball Victoria social media channels.
If you have any questions please contact Baseball Victoria, with full contact details available HERE.
Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 crisis and seek clarification on what current restrictions mean for baseball across the state.
Following last week’s announcement on the return to stage three restrictions and subsequent shutdown of all baseball activity in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, Baseball Victoria has received confirmation from Sport and Recreation Victoria that a return to full-contact training and competition for seniors in regional Victoria, previously discussed as 20 July, will not be occurring.
Continued Activity in the form of non-contact training for seniors and full training and competition for juniors may move forward for Bendigo Baseball Association, Geelong Baseball Association, Latrobe Valley Baseball Association, North Eastern Baseball Association and Sunraysia Baseball League.
“We are closely following the daily COVID-19 developments so that we can provide ou members with as much timely information as possible while protecting the health and wellbeing of our Victorian baseball community,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “While this year has been challenging, we remain dedicated to doing what’s best for our baseballers. We hope we can move forward with more baseball activity in the next few months, as soon as it’s safe and possible to do so.”
There has been no new date set for the possibility of a return to senior competition in regional Victoria, however any updates from Sport and Recreation Victoria will be provided accordingly. All seniors returning to training and juniors returning to training and competition in regional Victoria must follow our current Continued Activity Plan guidelines, which are available HERE along with club training and competition attendance templates.
As we have done since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, Baseball Victoria will continue to liaise with Winter Associations, Winter Clubs, Victorian Summer Baseball League Clubs and the relevant Government authorities to discuss our options and plans for moving forward.
Following on from previous announcements, Winter Associations will provide further details on their senior and junior programs via their communication channels. Click HERE to view Winter Association details.
Baseball Victoria continues to liaise with the Victorian Summer Baseball League Clubs to discuss the commencement dates and details for summer baseball.
Regional members are reminded that to Return to Activity you must register – click HERE to select your club from the Baseball Victoria Website and complete your registration.
Please view the Baseball Victoria COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions HERE for details on training and junior competitions in regional Victoria as well as COVID-19 health questions and much more.
We have our Ramp Up to Play: Drills and Exercises Program on our website and BV TV YouTube channel to prepare athletes for a return to activity and play.
If you have any questions please contact Baseball Victoria, with full contact details available HERE.
As a reminder, the COVIDSafe app is now available and will allow authorities to quickly track and control the spread of COVID-19. Please consider downloading the app to help save lives, protect the community and get baseball back as soon as possible. Click HERE to learn more.
For up-to-date information on keeping your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website HERE.
All further updates from Baseball Victoria will be available on the Baseball Victoria website and will also be communicated by the Baseball Victoria social media channels.
Lewis Thorpe is one of four Australians named to a 60-man MLB player pool ahead of the 2020 MLB season that gets underway on 23 July.
The former Victorian State Team representative, who was a standout junior with Doncaster Dragons and Greenhills Montmorency Baseball Clubs, is on the Minnesota Twins’ 40-man roster as the team prepares to open the shortened 2020 season at Chicago White Sox next Friday.
Thorpe signed with the Twins organisation in 2012 and overcame Tommy John surgery to work his way back up the Minor League ranks. He debuted against Chicago on 30 June 2019, two days after being promoted to the Majors. He impressed in his first outing, throwing five innings, giving up just two runs with seven strikeouts in an eventual 4-3 loss.
Throughout the rest of the 2019 MLB season, Thorpe made 12 appearances with 27.2 innings pitched for a 3-2 win-loss record and an ERA of 6.18 with 31 strikeouts. The left-handed pitcher made his ABL debut for the Melbourne Aces in 2013.
Aces fan-favourite Allan de San Miguel is another name added to an MLB 60-man player pool this season, with the catcher on the list for the Kansas City Royals.
Western Australia’s closing pitcher Liam Hendriks resumes his career with the Oakland Athletics, while Brisbane-born Aaron Whitefield joins Thorpe at the Twins organisation.
The 60-man lists make up the pool of players available for each club to select throughout the season.