Twins designate Stauffer, will recall Tonkin

MINNEAPOLIS -- Reliever Tim Stauffer was designated for assignment following the Twins' 7-2 loss to the Royals on Wednesday night at Target Field.

Michael Tonkin will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester for the Twins' series against Texas that starts on Friday. Also, left fielder Eddie Rosario is expected to return after a one-game paternity leave and shortstop Jorge Polanco will return to Double-A Chattanooga.

Stauffer was 1-0 with a 6.60 ERA in 15 innings season. He logged a 3.50 ERA in 61 1/3 innings last year with San Diego and the Twins signed him to a one-year, $2.2 million contract in the offseason.

"[I have] good things to say about Tim and what he did, how he came in here, how he handled himself," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "It didn't work out particularly well and we'll wish him well. I'm sure he's going to land somewhere, somehow. I'm not sure how that's going to unfold in the next few days so we're going to move on to Michael."

Video: MIN@DET: Tonkin retires Davis to end the threat

Tonkin pitched in 12 games for the Twins this season, compiling a 5.63 ERA before being optioned to the Minors at the end of May. He was 0-1 with a 1.54 ERA at Rochester.

Polanco, the team's No. 7 prospect according to MLB.com, played Wednesday, going 1-for-3 with a walk. He also made an error.

Video: KC@MIN: Escobar crosses the plate on two errors

"I'm sure he was a little nervous. I mean he doesn't have a lot of time up here. He took good at-bats all night long and defensively ... it looked like he got a little bit in between on how to play the ball," Molitor said. "I'm not sure if he was trying to decide more about what to do if he caught it, if he should take it himself or flip it and a little distraction of thought maybe created him getting the wrong hop."

Video: KC@MIN: Polanco gets his first hit of the season

Polanco was hitting .312 in 52 games at Double-A Chattanooga before the one-game callup.

"It was good to see him," Molitor said. "He's having a really good year and another valuable game for him just in terms of gaining experience at what the big league game's about, speed of the game especially."