Steven

Okert

Hader took the mound in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied to try to extend the game. He struck out two batters in a clean frame. Hader returned for the tenth and struck out two more to send it to the 11th. Steven Okert got the save in the 12th inning with a one-run lead.

Rodgers will serve as the primary second baseman while Jose Altuve is out in left field; however, Mauricio Dubon will mix in as well. Montero, Okert, and Gusto will begin the year in the bullpen.

Okert heads to Houston as extra left-handed relief depth after struggling to a lackluster 5.09 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 33/16 K/BB ratio across 35 1/3 innings (44 appearances) last season with the Twins. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw has made 272 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2016. He’ll compete in spring training for a spot in the Astros’ season-opening bullpen.

Okert passed through waivers after being designated for assignment over the weekend and will stick around with the Twins as extra organizational relief depth. The 33-year-old southpaw struggled to a pedestrian 5.09 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 33/16 K/BB ratio across 35 1/3 innings (44 appearances) this season in his Minnesota debut. He’s made 272 career appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2016.

Okert has been jettisoned from Minnesota’s active roster after posting a lackluster 5.09 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 33/16 K/BB ratio across 35 1/3 innings (44 appearances). The 33-year-old veteran lefty, who was acquired back in mid-February from the Marlins in a small trade, has made 272 career appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2016.

Okert has a 4.45 ERA in 38 appearances this season. He’ll rejoin the bullpen with Randy Dobnak sent back down to the minors.

The Twins recalled Dobnak back on July 30th but will send him back down after he posted a 5.87 ERA in 7 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. The 29-year-old may get another shot in the next month with the Twins pitching staff increasingly banged up. LHP Steven Okert was reinstated from the bereavement list in a corresponding move.

Okert has a 4.45 ERA in 38 appearances this season. He figures to rejoin the Twins later this week.

Okert will make his first start of the year Wednesday, but he’ll likely only pitch the first and maybe not even that, if he can’t retire Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the top third of the Phillies order. Festa figures to take over afterwards.

The Twins used their two best relievers, Brock Stewart and Griffin Jax, against the top and middle of the Dodgers lineup in the seventh and eighth innings. That left Okert for the ninth, and though both left-handed hitters he was due to face got lifted for pinch-hitters, he earned the save while allowing just a lone single from Will Smith. Okert has allowed one run in four innings this season.