ATLANTA -- An MRI exam taken on Miguel Sanó's right elbow showed no structural damage, the Twins announced on Monday. Sano will be able to avoid the 15-day disabled list, but he was held out of the lineup against the Braves on Tuesday because of National League rules with no designated hitter.
Sano had been bothered by elbow soreness since his last appearance at third base on Aug. 7, but the slugger said Sunday he wasn't worried that it was a major injury. It was a concern, however, considering he missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on the same elbow. Sano, who tested out his elbow by throwing from third base during batting practice before Tuesday's game, said he was happy to hear it was just elbow soreness.
"Whenever you get that kind of news, there's always relief," Sano said through translator Carlos Font. "It's that uncertainty of not knowing. But now I'm good. I just need to keep recovering and get back on the field as soon as I can."
Twins manager Paul Molitor said he was also relieved to hear Sano's injury isn't serious, adding he wouldn't rule out Sano returning to third base in the series finale on Wednesday.
"We were hoping that would be the case," Molitor said. "It turned out there wasn't any repercussions from his Tommy John surgery. It's just a matter of having a little bit of a sore elbow. But he's got to show he's ready to make some throws."

Sano, 23, is hitting .250/.342/.491 with 20 homers, 16 doubles and 50 RBIs in 84 games. He's hit well recently despite the injury, batting .304 with four homers and seven RBIs over his last six games.
Worth noting
• Right-handed reliever Trevor May, on the 15-day DL retroactive to Aug. 7 with a lower back strain, had a precautionary bone scan done on his back, but the results came back negative. Molitor said it's still unclear how long May will be out.
"It's kind of just him getting into his rehab and trying to do what he can to alleviate some of that imbalance," Molitor said. "He's working on strengthening things. But I'm not sure how long that process is going to be."
• Left-hander Tommy Milone, who was placed on the 15-day DL on Friday with left biceps tendonitis, remains at least five days away from playing catch, Molitor said. The plan for now is to give his shoulder some rest.
• Left-handed reliever Buddy Boshers, on the DL since Thursday with left elbow inflammation, is set to start his throwing program in the next few days, according to Molitor.
• Second baseman Brian Dozier, who grew up a Braves fan in Fulton, Miss., had more than 60 family members and friends in the stands for Tuesday's game at Turner Field.