Milone hits DL with mild left elbow strain

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins placed left-hander Tommy Milone on the 15-day disabled list with a mild left elbow strain on Sunday, and will select the contract of right-hander Tyler Duffey from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Duffey, ranked as Minnesota's No. 15 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, will make his Major League debut in Toronto on Wednesday to start on Milone's absence. Additionally, the Twins moved right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly to the 60-day DL to make room for Duffey on the 40-man roster.

Milone reported discomfort in his elbow after his start against the Mariners on Friday. The lefty is mostly dealing with inflammation near his elbow, but a small strain was also found in an MRI exam on Saturday, which caused the Twins to place him on the DL.

"He just said that he was having a little tightness in his elbow," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "It wasn't from a side or a bullpen, it was just kind of how he felt as that game transpired the other night. [We're] being precautionary, [he] hasn't had any elbow issues. The test again shows that structurally he's in good shape, but there is some inflammation showing signs of a little bit of a strain in there. But hopefully it's just a 15-day thing."

Video: Top Prospects: Tyler Duffey, RHP, Twins

Duffey, 24, has posted a 2.66 ERA with 117 strikeouts and 30 walks in 132 innings between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Rochester. He's also allowed just one homer this year, which bodes well considering his debut will come against the Blue Jays, who rank third in the Majors in homers. Duffey last started for Rochester on Saturday, but was limited to two innings and 36 pitches, as it was treated essentially as a bullpen session to get ready for Wednesday.

"I've seen him probably more than some of our other staff throughout the past few years," Molitor said. "Big strong right-handed guy. Velocity numbers are above average. He's got a breaking ball that's very effective against righties and lefties."

Molitor said the Twins also considered right-hander Jose Berrios and left-hander Taylor Rogers, but they decided Duffey was the most ready. Right-hander Trevor May will also remain in the bullpen, as he's not stretched out enough to start and Molitor didn't want to have a bullpen day against the high-scoring Blue Jays.

"We looked a little bit at left-right opportunities up there, but the bigger factor was he's the most ready to potentially give a quality start," Molitor said. "Duffey was pretty much unanimous."

WORTH NOTING

• Rookie center fielder Byron Buxton, on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb since June 26, left for Fort Myers, Fla. on Sunday. He'll take live batting practice there early this week and is expected to start his rehab assignment there with Class A Advanced Fort Myers before moving up to Triple-A Rochester. He's still likely a few weeks away from returning.

• Double-A Chattanooga catcher Stuart Turner was named the Twins' Minor League Player of the week. Turner, ranked as Minnesota's No. 20 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, hit .471 with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs in five games.