Twins select contract of Aaron Sanchez, reinstate Gio Urshela and place Gilberto Celestino on paternity list

Yennier Cano optioned, Mark Contreras recalled from Triple-A St. Paul

August 1st, 2022

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez from Triple-A St. Paul and reinstated infielder Gio Urshela from the Paternity List.

Sanchez, 30, has made eight starts for the Saints, going 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA (38.0 IP, 18 ER), 11 walks, 26 strikeouts and a .259 opponent batting average after signing a minor league contract in early June. The former All-Star began the season with the Washington Nationals and has pitched parts of eight major league seasons, going 38-37 with a 4.14 ERA (656.1 IP, 302 ER), 285 walks and 516 strikeouts in 166 games (110 starts) with Toronto, Houston, San Francisco and the Nationals. The Barstow, California native is scheduled to make the start tonight against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field and will wear uniform number 43.

Urshela, who was placed on the Paternity List on Friday, has hit .265 (78-for-294) with 17 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 42 RBI, 22 walks, 36 runs scored and a .733 OPS in 86 games for the Twins this season.

To make room for Sanchez and Urshela on the 26-man roster, the Twins have optioned right-handed pitcher Yennier Cano to Triple-A St. Paul; he was recalled on July 23 and made one relief appearance during his most recent stint with Minnesota. Additionally, the Twins have placed outfielder Gilberto Celestino on the Paternity List, as he and his wife await the arrival of a baby boy. Celestino has hit .270 (44-for-163) with seven doubles, one triple, nine RBI, 12 walks and 17 runs scored in 69 games for the Twins this season.

To replace Celestino on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled outfielder Mark Contreras from Triple-A St. Paul. Contreras was recalled on Saturday, optioned back to the Saints last night and recalled again today. He appeared in one game during the club’s series at San Diego this weekend.

To make room for Sanchez on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated catcher José Godoy for release or assignment. Godoy was recently at Triple-A St. Paul and played in 42 games for the Saints this season.