MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins activated right-hander Trevor May from the 60-day disabled list on Thursday, but optioned him to Triple-A Rochester to allow him to continue to work on his command as he returns from Tommy John surgery. Additionally, catcher Jason Castro, who is out for the year after right knee surgery, was moved to the 60-day DL to make room for May on the 40-man roster.
May, who had the operation in March 2017, made six rehab appearances with Class A Advanced Fort Myers and Triple-A Rochester, posting a combined 5.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 12 walks in 18 innings.
He's been stretched out to start, but pitched in relief his last two outings with Rochester. He threw three scoreless innings on Friday and went 1 1/3 innings on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits. He threw 37 pitches on Friday and 32 on Tuesday.
May, 28, has a career 5.14 ERA with 214 strikeouts and 65 walks in 203 innings with the Twins. He's had more success as a reliever with a 4.36 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings, but dealt with back issues in '16.
May gives Minnesota pitching depth and could be an intriguing option as a reliever, but the Twins want him to cut down on his walk rate in the Minors before he's recalled.