Nolasco fitted for orthotics, no timetable for return
Righty, shelved with right ankle inpingement, has setback during 'pen session
MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Ricky Nolasco is being fitted for orthotics, but his right ankle injury will not require surgery, Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Thursday.
Nolasco, on the DL since June 4 with a right ankle impingement, tried to throw a bullpen session on Sunday to test his ankle, but had to cut it short due to discomfort.
"He's getting fitted for orthotics, and we hope that'll help the cause," Ryan said. "But it's not a surgical deal. But we'll see how he responds to the orthotics and go from there."
Ryan said Nolasco remains shut down after his bullpen session on Sunday, and that he'll start another throwing program once he gets his orthotics. There's still no timetable for his return.
"He'll do long toss first, but he doesn't have any problems with long toss," Ryan said. "He just needs to build up his arm."
• Twins Minor League pitcher Daulin Ramirez received a 72-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension is effective immediately for Ramirez, who had a 9.00 ERA in nine innings with the Dominican Summer League Twins.
• Right-hander Ervin Santana is set to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. It's the first of three rehab starts for Santana, who was suspended 80 games for the use of a performance-enhancing substance. He's eligible to return on July 4, but is lined up to make his first start on July 5 in Kansas City.
• Twins manager Paul Molitor said he's going to continue using Eduardo Nunez as his shortstop in the short-term, because he's been swinging a hot bat. Nunez made his third straight start at shortstop on Thursday after making just one start at shortstop all season prior to Tuesday.