NEW YORK — Come Thursday, Comcast subscribers who have been without Twins baseball for the past three months will have access to Bally Sports North once again.
Twins games have been inaccessible to Comcast subscribers since the beginning of May. But on Monday, Diamond Sports Group and Comcast announced they have reached a new carriage agreement to distribute Diamond’s regional sports networks, including Bally Sports North.
“We are pleased that Minnesota Twins baseball on Bally Sports North will again be available to Comcast and Midco subscribers throughout Twins Territory,” Twins spokesman Dustin Morse said. “We appreciate Comcast and Diamond Sports Group working to reach a deal that restores television access on this important carrier. We thank Twins fans for their patience, and we look forward to the shared excitement of our postseason push these next two months.”
Starting on Thursday, subscribers to Comcast Xfinity’s Ultimate TV package will gain access to BSN and will once again be able to stream content through the Bally Sports app.
A Comcast sportsperson said viewership information shows that a majority of their customers who are watching the RSNs already have that level of service, which would mean there is no change for them.
The channel was previously available under the Popular TV plan, a smaller, less expensive package. The Ultimate TV Package is an extra $20 per month, though Comcast is offering a three-month promotion for customers who had not been at that level at no additional charge, which would take Twins fans through the end of the regular season.
The Twins currently have a one-year deal with Bally Sports North, which will expire after this season.
Trade deadline nears
The trade deadline — set for 5 p.m. CDT Tuesday — is rapidly approaching, and the Twins have yet to make a move, despite a busy past few days across the league.
Star shortstop Carlos Correa said earlier this month that he’d already been offering his two cents to manager Rocco Baldelli as the second-place Twins seek ways to improve their roster as they make a bid for a playoff spot.
“I feel like our lineup is really good, especially when we’re healthy,” Correa said. “I think we’re a top-three lineup in baseball. Definitely, everybody needs pitching.”
The rotation is the top need. But the Twins, who slashed their payroll last offseason, are not likely to take on much salary in a potential trade, which could limit their options.
“If (president of baseball operations) Derek (Falvey) and (general manager) Thad (Levine) add someone to this team or subtract someone from this team to make us a better team, then we’re going to war with that group of guys,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “You’ve just got to trust that the interest of the team, the overall interest to make us a better team, a more competitive team in October is what Derek and Thad are going after.”
Miranda OK
Jose Miranda was out on the field taking balls from infield coach Tony Diaz before Monday night’s game. He was not in the lineup, but it was a positive sign after he took a 95 mph to the helmet a day earlier and immediately exited the game.
Miranda, who passed preliminary concussion tests on Sunday, said he woke up feeling pretty good and went through a host of activities on Monday. He said he even told the staff he was ready to play if needed and was hoping he could return on Tuesday.
“It was a little shocking, obviously, when I got hit. As a hitter, you’re never expecting a pitch like that. You’re never expecting to get hit in the face,” Miranda said. “Obviously, it hit my C-flap. But I went to the ground, and when I stood up I looked and it was a little blurry. That’s when (trainer) Nick (Paparesta) told me they were going to take me out. But after that I felt pretty fine overall during the day. It was positive.”
Briefly
The Twins promoted top prospect Walker Jenkins from Class-A Fort Myers to Class-A Advanced Cedar Rapids. The 19-year-old, whom the Twins drafted fifth overall last year, was hitting .274 with a .817 OPS this season at Fort Myers. … Rookie David Festa, who is from nearby New Jersey, will start for the Twins on Tuesday. Festa said he expected lots of friends and family members to be in attendance.
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