Ramirez symptom-free, reinstated from DL

MINNEAPOLIS -- With infielder Jamey Carroll getting traded to the Royals for a player to be named later or cash on Sunday, the Twins activated outfielder Wilkin Ramirez from the disabled list on Monday to take his spot on the roster.

Ramirez, who was originally placed on the seven-day concussion DL on May 26, had missed 69 games with concussion-like symptoms. He needed two separate rehab assignments, because he retriggered the symptoms while diving for a ball with Class A Advanced Fort Myers in late June and sat out for another month.

But Ramirez said he's been symptom-free for about 15-20 days, and he hit .172 (5-for-29) with a double in seven games with Double-A New Britain just before rejoining the Twins. He also batted .273 (3-for-11) with a double and a homer in four games with the Gulf Coast League Twins before being transferred to Double-A.

"It was tough, but I'm here now," Ramirez said. "So I'm just here to do whatever I can to help this team win. I'm happy to be here. It's great to be back here."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was also pleased to have Ramirez back, as the Twins have been without a backup center fielder to Clete Thomas since Aaron Hicks was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 1.

"He's been through a long road," Gardenhire said. "He had his ups and downs with it. Concussions are always the unknown, so it's nice to see him doing well. And now I have a backup center fielder, which is a good thing."