Pressly may step in as go-to long reliever

MINNEAPOLIS -- With right-hander Tim Stauffer on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right intercostal and left-hander Tommy Milone at Triple-A Rochester to remain a starter instead of moving to relief, the Twins are without a long reliever in their bullpen.

Even without a designated long reliever, manager Paul Molitor said he still always has a contingency plan before every game in case a pitcher leaves a game early due to injury or performance reasons.

Molitor said he'll use a mix of relievers in long roles, and he had to use right-hander Ryan Pressly in that role in Sunday's 13-3 win over the White Sox, with right-hander Mike Pelfrey lasting just 3 1/3 innings. Pressly tossed 2 2/3 perfect frames in relief and got the win.

"Pressly is probably one of the longer guys I could use in a game right now, but it could change day to day," Molitor said before the game. "You try to at least have an idea to try to prepare for the worst, if you want to call it that."

Pressly, who had a 4.50 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 10 innings at Rochester, said he's open to whatever role the Twins have for him. He was used in a variety of ways as a Rule 5 Draft pick in 2013, including as a long reliever, so he said it's something with which he's comfortable. He said his curveball was working for him at Rochester, and that it carried over into his outing on Sunday.

"The ball was coming out of my hand well," Pressly said. "It was a step in the direction. I felt good today. I'm just trying throw my curveball off my fastball. It's working really well right now."