Stauffer activated from DL, rejoins Twins 'pen
CHICAGO -- Reliever Tim Stauffer was officially activated from the 15-day disabled list before Friday's game against the White Sox, a day after infielder Doug Bernier was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.
Stauffer, who was out with a right intercostal strain since May 1, made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Rochester. He gave up three runs over five innings, including a pair of homers.
"It's good to see him back here," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He went down there and got himself back down there physically at 100 percent. We're going with eight men in the bullpen with Timmy's return. I'll just use him like everybody else, but he'll likely be an early game candidate for now until he works his way back."
Molitor added that he doesn't envision an eight-man bullpen long-term, as the Twins went with an extra arm after using all of their relievers in Wednesday's 13-inning game against the Pirates.
Stauffer, 32, struggled before going on the DL, posting an 8.38 ERA in eight outings with the Twins, but said he's finally healthy.
"After four days off of throwing, I felt good," Stauffer said. "It was nice to get back into games and start working on some stuff. No issues. No drama. I was locating better. The changeup was a little better and I changed my grip on my slider a little bit. So nothing too exciting, but I was able to throw most of my pitches for strikes."
Despite his struggles, Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said Stauffer proved he's healthy and deserved to be activated from the DL. He fared well over the last two seasons with the Padres, posting a 3.63 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 134 innings.
"He threw it over and he felt good," Antony said. "I didn't have any reports that he pitched great or anything. He obviously gave up three runs over five innings. But the fact of the matter is you go down on rehab and if you're healthy and ready to go, we're not going to stash him down there and tell him to keep pitching. That's not right."
Worth noting
• Right-handed reliever Casey Fien is set to start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester with a one-inning stint on Saturday. Fien, on the DL since April 30 with a right shoulder strain, is expected to throw again on Tuesday and Wednesday before the Twins decide whether he's ready to return.
• Outfielder Oswaldo Arcia is expected to join Rochester on Sunday before starting a rehab assignment on Tuesday. Arcia, on the DL since May 4 with a right hip flexor strain, is expected to play Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday before a decision is made on his return.
• Outfielder Jordan Schafer sought a second opinion on his right knee from Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday, but Andrews agreed with Twins team doctors that Schafer's MCL sprain doesn't require surgery. Schafer, on the DL retroactive to May 11, has yet to participate in baseball activities.