Tonkin recalled; Rosario reinstated

ARLINGTON -- A pair of roster moves became official for the Twins on Friday, as they recalled right-handed reliever Michael Tonkin from Triple-A Rochester and reinstated outfielder Eddie Rosario from the paternity list.

The moves came after the Twins designated right-handed reliever Tim Stauffer for assignment and optioned shortstop Jorge Polanco to Rochester on Wednesday. Polanco was up for just one game, as Rosario missed Wednesday's loss to the Royals, but returned to action on Friday. His wife, Milany, gave birth to their third child on Wednesday, a boy named Lucas, who weighed in at eight pounds and was 21 inches long.

Tonkin has been up and down with the Twins this season, posting strong numbers at Triple-A, but has struggled to carry it over the big leagues. Tonkin has a 1.54 ERA with 16 strikeouts and two walks in 11 2/3 for Rochester, but a 5.63 ERA and seven strikeouts and three walks in eight innings with Minnesota.

The Twins still have an eight-man bullpen, so Tonkin could be on the move again if the Twins decide to bring in another position player. But he said he tries not to worry about that.

"I just come here and try to perform every time, but what happens is out of my hands," Tonkin said. "I'm just here to try to get some outs and help the team."

Twins manager Paul Molitor also wouldn't commit to a long-term stay for Tonkin this time, but said he received encouraging reports about his work in the Minors. Tonkin was last up with the Twins for one day on June 3, when he was the club's 26th man on their roster for their doubleheader in Boston.

"We're still at eight pitchers so there's always that question of when we go back to seven, how will that look," Molitor said. "You have [Ricky] Nolasco coming back and [Ervin] Santana coming back. I told Michael in Boston we hoped to see him again soon but that we can't lock into anybody just because of the circumstances. But he's been throwing the ball well down there."

Nolasco, on the 15-day disabled list with a right ankle impingement, threw a 20-pitch bullpen session without any issues on Wednesday, and is scheduled to throw again on Sunday. He could go on a rehab assignment after that, according to Molitor.

Santana, meanwhile, continues to pitch in extended Spring Training and is eligible to return from his 80-game suspension on July 4. He's expected to go on a rehab assignment with Rochester before returning.