CHICAGO – Twins rookie lefty Kendry Rojas was a late scratch from a scheduled start Thursday due to what the club called “posterior elbow soreness” in his left arm.
Rojas, 23, had been slated to make a spot start in the finale of Minnesota’s series against the White Sox, with the desire to give Taj Bradley an extra day of rest before his next start. He has mostly pitched in relief, but was extremely impressive in his first career start on May 18 against the Astros.
The Cuban-born lefty was acquired last summer in the deal that sent Louis Varland to the Blue Jays. He scuffled in his first season in the Twins’ system but has flashed immense potential in his first Major League season, with a 1.26 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.
Simeon Woods Richardson started in Rojas’ place. He began the year in the Twins’ rotation but was bumped to the bullpen after an extended slump.