CHICAGO -- After putting up dominant numbers at Triple-A Rochester, right-hander Jose Berrios will get the call to start against the Indians on Saturday.
The Twins had been considering right-hander Nick Tepesch for the start, but he's only pitched once since April 20, struggling against the Red Sox on Saturday, lasting 1 2/3 innings. Berrios, 22, is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 39 strikeouts compared to eight walks in 39 2/3 innings at Rochester. Minnesota will have to make a corresponding roster move before Saturday's game.
"It just seems like his time," Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Berrios. "Tep was an option, but I was concerned about the lack of work. It's probably not the best situation. But [Berrios] has stretched together some starts. He's made progress in areas that we need. We'll throw him out there against Cleveland on the road, which is a tough first assignment, so we'll see how it goes."
Berrios, who was the No. 19 overall prospect by MLBPipeline.com entering last season, struggled in his first taste of the Majors, posting an 8.02 ERA in 14 starts in 2016. He struck out 49, walked 35 and gave up 12 homers in 58 1/3 innings. The Twins had him focus on improving his command at Rochester this year, and they've been pleased enough with the results to call him up.
"He's responded," Molitor said. "It was just time to bring him up."