Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes each had scoreless and hitless outings this afternoon as they pitched for Class AAA Rochester during their rehabilitation stints.
Santiago went three innings, giving up two walks while striking out two. Twins manager Paul Molitor said Santiago's fastball was 89-92 miles per hour, which is about where he usually throws. Santiago is coming back from a sore shoulder, his first-ever trip to the disabled list.
Hughes pitched the fifth inning, walking a batter. Pitching coach Neil Allen said Hughes' fastball was 89-91 mph, which was about where he was before he started having arm problems. Hughes landed on the disabled list due to a sore right arm. The Twins are looking at Hughes to pitch out of the bullpen once he returns to the team, and Wednesday's appearance allowed him to prepare for the role.
The Twins haven't announced what their plans are for the Santiago and Hughes going forward.
Rochester, by the way, won the game 3-1. Mitch Garver, Tommy Field and Niko Goodrum each had two hits.
Target Field began the day as the homer happiest park in the league, with 119 home runs blasted this season. The Twins have hit 50 while opponents have hit 69 - a reflection of the state of Twins pitching these days.
This has led to questions about why home runs are up here. The park used to be slightly pitcher friendly but is trending the other way. The outfield is considered on the spacious side, with left-center 411 feet away. And there's the high wall in right-center where the out of town scoreboard is located. The wall has kept many balls in the park, before this year's onslaught.
"The theories continue to abound," Molitor said. "I've heard a lot of them. The baseball, the concrete, players, small strike zones, global warming. I couldn't tell you which one has the most merit."
Much of the pre-game talk about the plans for the Twins to play a two-game series against Cleveland in Puerto Rico next year. Kennys Vargas said that baseball is booming on the island, with academies helping to develop better players. He just hopes he gets to hit a home run in front of his friends and family.
"I was happy when they told me that we are going to go to Puerto Rico," Vargas said. "I haven't talked to anybody over there yet, but Puerto Ricans are excited for the opportunity to play at home in front of our people, our families."
Hearing that third round pick Blayne Enlow will be in town at the end of the week to take a physical and wrap up his dea with the Twins. He's expected to receive around $2 million as a signing bonus.
No Joe Mauer or Eddie Rosario in the lineup today as the Twins face White Sox lefthander David Holmberg. Vargas gets another chance to show he's made adjustments to his righthanded swing. It looked fine on Tuesday, as he blasted a 475-foot home run off of Greg Holland.
White Sox
Alen Hanson, RF
Melky Cabrera, LF
Jose Abreu, 1B
Avisail Garcia, DH
Matt Davidson, 3B
Yolmer Sanchez, 2B
Tim Anderson, SS
Omar Narvaez, C
Adam Engel, CF
Twins
Brian Dozier, 2B
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Miguel Sano, DH
Robbie Grossman, LF
Kennys Vargas, 1B
Max Kepler, RF
Byron Buxton, CF
Ehrie Adrianza, SS
Jason Castro, C
Jose Berrios, RHP
