MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins activated right-handed reliever Trevor May from the 15-day disabled list after Monday's 3-1 loss to the A's and optioned lefty Buddy Boshers to Triple-A Rochester.
May, who had been out since June 9 with lower back spasms, made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Rochester, allowing one run over 3 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. He worked on shortening his stride toward home plate, as he noticed that was the issue that led to his injury after watching video with the coaching staff.
"It's a classic example of building bad habits," May said. "I feel like we found the problem. It was kind of a double-edged sword with the pain, and the pain was causing some stuff to flatten out, and stuff flattening out was causing me to try to throw harder, which caused more pain."
Boshers, meanwhile, pitched well, posting a 1.38 ERA with 14 strikeouts and two walks in 13 innings. He also recorded his first two career wins in relief. Twins manager Paul Molitor said Boshers was a victim of a roster crunch and wasn't sent down because of the way he pitched.
"Buddy was better than I thought he would be," Molitor said. "He pitched really well. The roster issue is causing the move to get Trevor activated tomorrow. Being a little short on position players in terms of health, we're going to keep the bullpen at seven, at least for now."
Boshers, who was signed to a Minor League deal before the season and hadn't pitched in the Majors since making 25 relief appearances with the Angels in 2013, took the demotion in stride and was happy with how he performed.
"I hope I opened some eyes," Boshers said. "It's part of the business. I'll take it for what it is. I'll go down there and keep doing what I've been doing. I can't complain. I put up pretty decent numbers so I'll just try to keep things rolling."
Worth noting
• Additionally, the Twins activated outfielder Darin Mastroianni from the 15-day DL and outrighted him off the 40-man roster. He had been out since May 21 with a left oblique strain.