MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins placed left-hander Hector Santiago on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, with upper thoracic back pain and discomfort. The club recalled right-hander Alan Busenitz from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.
Santiago is 4-8 with a 5.63 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings in 15 games (14 starts) this season for Minnesota. The 29-year-old missed 20 games from June 7-27 with a left shoulder strain, but Twins manager Paul Molitor said this injury isn't related to the previous shoulder concerns. Santiago will get an MRI on Wednesday night to determine the severity of the injury.
"I think this one is a little bit different," Molitor said. "We had him scheduled to pitch Friday, but after he threw his side yesterday, he came in and saw our training staff. They said something wasn't right as far as he felt trying to get extended in the bullpen. As best we know now, he's dealing with some things with his upper-mid back and his posterior shoulder. It causes more concern than the last time."
Molitor said Santiago didn't bring up any issues with his back or shoulder when the two met on Monday following his outing against the Royals on Sunday, which featured miscommunication between the two. Santiago's fastball topped out at 87.6 mph -- after it reached 92 mph in his previous start (his return from the DL) -- but Santiago said he wanted to ease into his outing and command his fastball better. Molitor, though, was unaware of Santiago's plan and removed him after he allowed four runs on 3 1/3 innings.
"We talked through my concerns and what I saw, but there was nothing about the physical side in his last outing," Molitor said. "He said even after he came out of that game he had more and was trying to have better command. But those who saw him throw yesterday said it wasn't great but it wasn't bad, but obviously he wanted to get something checked out."
With Santiago out, the Twins need a starter for Friday, and rookie Felix Jorge is considered the top candidate. He allowed three runs in five innings in his debut against the Royals on Saturday, and is eligible to return because he was the designated 26th man in a doubleheader.

"We have a need," Molitor said. "It's one of those things where we've found ourselves in this situation several times this season. Jorge pitched well last time, so he'd be a natural option to consider."
Busenitz, 26, made his Major League debut June 17 and recorded a 2.08 ERA in six games with the club. He had a 2.15 ERA at Rochester with 32 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings.

Worth noting
• Left-hander Glen Perkins, who dealt with a biceps issue while rehabbing from shoulder surgery, will throw his first bullpen since his setback on Thursday.
• Left-hander Craig Breslow (rib soreness) will throw a bullpen on Thursday and then will head on a rehab assignment with Rochester to make an appearance on Sunday.
• Second baseman James Dozier returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing two games with lower back spasms.