Lefty Milone will start Saturday for Twins

CLEVELAND -- Left-hander Tommy Milone is slated to start on Saturday against the Royals, while Sunday's starter in the regular-season finale is still yet to be determined, Twins manager Paul Molitor said before Wednesday's doubleheader.

Milone picked up the win in Monday's 4-2 victory over the Indians, allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings in his first start since Sept. 17. Milone had been out with left shoulder fatigue, but he started after right-hander Phil Hughes was scratched due to flu-like symptoms. Hughes will be moved to the bullpen in the short-term, but he is a candidate to start on Sunday, as is right-hander Kyle Gibson, who would be starting on short rest.

"Right now, the plan is pitch Milone on Saturday," Molitor said. "Phil is feeling a little bit better today, but he's still not 100 percent."

Video: MIN@CLE: Milone holds Tribe to two in emergency start

Whether or not Sunday's game has postseason implications will also affect who starts. If it's a must-win game for the Twins, Gibson appears more likely to get the start on short rest for the first time in his career. But if not, Hughes would likely get his first start since Sept. 23.

"Sunday, we all hope it's a meaningful game," Molitor said. "And if not, we hope it's for a good reason and not a bad reason. But that question is something we'll have to answer down the road, depending on how these games play out before we get there."