Turley optioned after another rough outing

MINNEAPOLIS -- If it were up to left-hander Nik Turley, he would go straight back out to the mound at Target Field.
After recording just two outs in a 9-0 loss to the White Sox on Thursday, the Twins optioned Turley, 27, to Triple-A Rochester. Minnesota also placed infielder Ehire Adrianza (abdominal issues) on the 10-day disabled list, and will make corresponding moves in Cleveland on Friday.
For Turley, it brought his brief first stint in the Majors to an abrupt end.
"I don't feel like I pitched well enough to stay," Turley said. "I have things to work on. There were things I didn't know I needed to work on, but I got exposed when I pitched here. I'm grateful for the opportunity."
After a franchise record 4-hour, 50-minute rain delay, Turley's third career start ended quickly. He allowed five runs on six hits, including a pair of homers and a double.
Turley fell behind to eight of the nine batters he faced. The only two outs he recorded came on fielder's choices, one of which needed a replay review to overturn. Turley gave up three hits with an exit velocity of at least 99 mph.

Perhaps most surprising was the fact Turley didn't use his curveball, which is his best pitch. Turley threw 33 pitches (18 strikes), and only six were breaking balls. He didn't throw his first breaking pitch until he faced Matt Davidson, 22 pitches in.
"Today [my changeup] was basically like a [batting practice] fastball," Turley said. "My curveball is my best pitch, and I should have gone to it more, and I regret not going to it. But most of all, I went two-thirds of an inning. I wish I could go back out there right now, I would if I could."
Over three starts, Turley had as many outs (28) as baserunners allowed. Opposing teams batted .489 against him, and he allowed 17 runs on 23 hits over 9 1/3 innings.
Turley's ERA (16.39) is the highest of any Minnesota pitcher in club history with at least three starts.
Turley was the latest unsuccessful audition for a contending team trying to figure out what to do beyond reliable starters Ervin Santana and José Berríos. The Twins are 15-7 in games started by Santana and Berrios, but 20-27 in other contests.
Turley could get another opportunity this season, especially if the Twins continue to struggle to stabilize a shaky rotation.
"He got a chance to learn up here, and, hopefully, he's learned and keeps himself on the radar," manager Paul Molitor said. "As we all know, our starting depth is in need of people that keep themselves in the mix."