SID's JOTTINGS

• One of the best trades that Terry Ryan has made in his second tenure as Twins general manager is acquiring Kevin Jepsen from Tampa Bay for minor league starters Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia. Jepsen has a 2.39 ERA on the season and a 1.45 ERA over his first 20 appearances with the Twins. The righthanded reliever and fill-in closer for the injured Glen Perkins is making $1.1 million this season and is eligible for arbitration next year before becoming eligible for free agency in 2017.

• Obviously the Twins have bigger concerns right now as they are in the middle of a chase for a playoff berth, but their 73rd victory of the season Friday night assured them of avoiding 90 losses for the first time since 2011.

• The Gophers had four NFL draft choices this year. Tight end Maxx Williams (second round) will not start for the Ravens right away but will work behind first-string tight end Crockett Gillmore to develop. … Damien Wilson (fourth) made the 53-man cut with the Cowboys but is not expected to start right away at linebacker. … Running back David Cobb (fifth) got some bad news when he was placed on injured reserve with the designation to return, meaning he will miss at least eight games for the Titans. … Defensive back Cedric Thompson (fifth) was cut from the roster by the Dolphins but has been signed to their practice squad. … Offensive lineman Cameron Botticelli, an undrafted free agent, was released by the Chargers.

• Gophers basketball great Mychal Thompson not only has one son, Klay, who is an NBA champion with the Warriors, but another, Trayce, who hurt the Twins on Saturday night with two hits, a walk and an RBI for the White Sox. The outfielder is hitting .423 in 24 games. A third son, Mychel, previously played in the NBA and is now playing basketball in Italy.