Stauffer among injured Twins on mend
Reliever on rehab assignment; Fien, Arcia, Nunez at various stages of rehab
DETROIT -- Right-handed reliever Tim Stauffer, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with a right intercostal strain since May 1, began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday night.
Stauffer pitched a scoreless eighth inning against Toledo, getting two groundouts and a popup on just nine pitches. Stauffer is expected to make a few more appearances with Rochester before being activated from the DL. He struggled early this season, compiling an 8.38 ERA in eight appearances with the Twins.
Additionally, fellow right-handed reliever Casey Fien is still on his throwing program and has not experienced any issues, according to Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony. Fien, on the DL since April 30 with a right shoulder strain, could be ready to throw a bullpen session by the time the Twins return home this weekend.
Outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, who has been on the DL since May 4 with a right hip flexor strain, has been getting treatment at Target Field, but he has yet to swing a bat. Utility man Eduardo Nunez, on the DL retroactive to April 30 with a left oblique strain, is set to start swinging the bat this week.
"Arcia is doing better," Antony said. "His hip is loosening up. But he hasn't started swinging yet. Nunez will start swinging this week. In the next few days, we're hoping he'll start with soft toss and flips."