Santiago excited to be with Twins

CLEVELAND – When Hector Santiago takes the mound Thursday, he will become the 24th pitcher to wear a Twins uniform, tying the franchise record for most in a season.

Not that he minds. In fact, he sounds delighted to join the third team of his five-year career.

"It was a little bit shocking, but I like to keep moving. I like new things," Santiago said shortly after meeting his new teammates in the visitors' clubhouse. "I like the thrill of seeing something else happening in my career, so it's pretty exciting."

The 28-year-old lefthander was enjoying the Angels' off day Monday, never expecting to be traded because the Los Angeles rotation has been so battered by injuries. "I didn't think they would risk the chance of moving an arm, but obviously they got a couple of starters back, so it's good for them. It was unexpected for sure," Santiago said. "They called me — 'All right, cool, thanks for everything,' and let's move on to the next thing."

For Santiago, that means trying to build upon the best month of his career. After a difficult May and June, he suddenly turned things around in July. In six starts, all of them victories, he gave up a total of eight runs all month, striking out 34 in 35 ⅓ innings and posting a 1.78 ERA. He was runner-up to Justin Verlander for American League pitcher of the month, in fact.

And yes, he walked 21 batters, too, which can be frustrating. Santiago leads the AL with 57 walks but says he has limited the damage by pitching effectively with runners on base. Opponents are batting .203 with runners on base this season, and .165 with runners in scoring position.

"I still try to attack the zone. I'm throwing balls that are running and moving, so walks are something that come with my game," said Santiago, who will wear No. 66. "I don't know why I've always been better at it, but mentally, when guys are on base, I try to grind down and don't let them score."

The Angels wouldn't do 1-for-1, though; they wanted a pitcher they had long coveted, Antony said, in Alex Meyer. "When he was healthy at the beginning of the year and pitching, he pitched very well at Rochester," Antony said. "He's always had the velocity, the breaking ball and the potential. I don't think it's hard to envision [his success]."

The Twins agreed to include Meyer, who is regaining his health after suffering shoulder weakness in May and could pitch again within a week or two, but they would make the trade only if the Angels sent back a prospect, too. That's how they wound up with reliever Alan Busenitz.

• Trevor Plouffe played third base Wednesday for the first time since suffering a cracked rib in early June, manning the position for seven innings at Class AAA Rochester. Plouffe went 0-for-3 with a walk in his second rehab start. Antony said the Twins will evaluate his progress after Thursday's game.

• About a dozen Southern Mississippi officials and fans are in Cleveland to see Golden Eagles product Brian Dozier play Wednesday and Thursday, before heading to nearby Canton this weekend for the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction of another Southern Miss alum: Dozier's Hattiesburg pal Brett Favre.

• Lefthander Tyler Jay, the Twins' No. 1 pick in 2015, was placed on the disabled list at Class AA Chattanooga after experiencing muscle weakness in his neck and shoulder, Antony said.