Perkins and Escobar

A dismayed Glen Perkins reacts after yielding a
three-run homer in the ninth inning Tuesday.

I doubt anybody believes Glen Perkins is sound right now.

He's certainly not effective.

The Twins closer sat out seven games earlier this month with a sore neck. He hasn't had a scoreless outing since: 3.1 innings, seven runs allowed. On Tuesday, protecting a two-run lead, he gave up two singles (not particularly well struck, but definitely well-paced), followed by a home run.

That the Twins rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win doesn't obscure the reality: Perkins isn't getting it done, and doesn't seem capable of getting it done.

---

Eduardo Escobar left Tuesday's game after a diving stop and throw. He's got something wrong with his shoulder, and he figures to have it examined today.

Whatever they find, this injury gives the Twins every reason to do what they arguably should have been doing this month anyway: Play Danny Santana at shortstop, work Aaron Hicks and Jordan Schafer in center, and look to 2015.

Personally, I believe the 2015 plan should have Santana in the outfield and Escobar as the shortstop, but the Twins will lose nothing from giving Santana these last 12 games or so at short. It certainly makes more sense than giving those innings to Eduardo Nunez.