Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Twins place Duensing on paternity list

CHICAGO -- Twins left-hander Brian Duensing was placed on the paternity list on Monday, and right-hander Michael Tonkin was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take his spot on the roster.

Duensing, who flew back home to Omaha, Neb., on Saturday night, is expecting his second child with his wife, Lisa. Duensing is expected to be on paternity leave for three days, so he could return in time for the third game of the season against the White Sox on Thursday.

"I think the doctors decided a few days ago that everything was good, but they didn't want to wait any longer and [wanted to] induce today," Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said. "He came in and felt bad, but we told him not to worry about it."

With Duensing on paternity leave, it gives Tonkin his first chance to be on an Opening Day roster after originally being optioned to Rochester on Monday.

Tonkin, 24, had an impressive showing in Spring Training, as he didn't allow a run in seven appearances. The 6-foot-7 right-hander gave up just three hits over 8 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking two.

"Tonkin could've been on my baseball team and on this staff, just like a lot of other guys we sent out this spring," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I've got no worries. We just want Deuce to go home and take care of his wife and the baby. It's a beautiful thing for that. I know he wants to be here, but there are more important things than that. It's an exciting moment, so we want him to be his wife. And we'll have Tonkin here, so we're happy about that. I'm not afraid to put him anywhere."

Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Bollinger Beat, and follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger.
Read More: Minnesota Twins, Brian Duensing, Michael Tonkin