SEATTLE -- Jorge Polanco was removed from the lineup before the Twins' series opener against the Mariners on Tuesday because his grandfather died earlier in the day. Polanco flew out to be with his family in his home country of the Dominican Republic.
Twins manager Paul Molitor said there isn't an expected return date for their starting shortstop.
"Those things are not good. They're tough," he said. "It's been weighing on him the past week or so. I just told him to do what he needs to do to take care of himself and his family.
"He's going to take the time he needs, and I told him not to put a deadline on the return yet."
Molitor said a corresponding roster move for Polanco's absence will be made on Wednesday. Ehire Adrianza got the start at shortstop Tuesday and was hitting eighth. Eduardo Escobar moved up from the No. 8 spot in the original lineup to where Polanco was hitting (sixth).
Worth noting
• Despite considering moving up Ervin Santana's next start due to team's off-day on Monday, Molitor confirmed the Twins will keep intact their normal rotation and Kyle Gibson will start on Thursday against the Mariners. Santana will start on Friday against the Giants.
"We considered where we were, kind of mapping out forward, and we ended up deciding to take advantage of the extra days where can you get him," Molitor said. "Because I think we're going to have to grind it away here with a lot of games. So I think an extra day is good."
• The Twins have two doubleheaders coming up to make up games that were rained out earlier in the season. The Twins host one doubleheader on June 17 against the Indians and play another in Kansas City on July 1.