Ex-Cat Taylor Rogers on MLB debut: ‘After the first pitch, it felt real’

Former University of Kentucky pitcher Taylor Rogers made his major league debut Thursday during the Minnesota Twins’ 3-1 loss at home to the Chicago White Sox.

Rogers, a reliever, pitched two-thirds of a inning while giving up a single between a groundout and a popout during the ninth inning.

“After the first pitch, it felt real,” Rogers said, according a report by MLB.com. “That’s when it really hit me. I was just trying to get loose and get ready, and calm myself down, and not give up any runs, really. I just wanted to do well, and once I threw that first pitch, I got really excited and felt like I couldn’t breathe. …

“You always think about it and you’re dreaming and all of that, but it was way cooler than I anticipated,” the 25-year-old Rogers said.

Manager Paul Molitor told MLB.com that he likes Rogers for his ability to get left-handed hitters out. Molitor said Rogers, a starter throughout his minor league career, can also pitch longer, if needed.

“You try to picture a little less stressful situation to start,” Molitor said of Rogers pitching with the Twins down two runs with one set of at-bats to go. “But it was good to get him in the game. I think he handled it well and threw the ball well, and he was able to get out of there. So it’s a good start for him.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 10:09 PM with the headline "Ex-Cat Taylor Rogers on MLB debut: ‘After the first pitch, it felt real’."