The Twins don't know yet who might take Hector Santiago's start Sunday, but they added a new dark horse candidate to the mix Wednesday, one who has thrown a no-hitter in the major leagues.

Chris Heston, a righthander who pitched the second no-hitter in Citi Field history almost exactly two years ago, was claimed off waivers by the Twins and summoned immediately to Seattle for Wednesday's game.

Heston was claimed off the roster of Oklahoma City, the Class AAA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he had pitched for the Class AAA team only once, a three-inning relief stint last Thursday in which he allowed three runs against Colorado Springs.

Heston, selected but unsigned by the Twins in the 47th round of the 2007 draft, spent three seasons with the Giants and started 31 games with a 3.95 ERA in 2015, including a no-hit game against the Mets.

Heston struck out 11 and walked none in his June 9, 2015, no-hitter, and only three hit batters prevented a perfect game.

"He comes in as a guy who can give us some length, and he's got some experience," Molitor said of the Twins' move to "replenish" its bullpen once again. "He's been on a regular maintenance [throwing] plan, even though he hasn't had a lot of innings this year."

Heston's career has plummeted since that season in the Giants' rotation; he was demoted to the bullpen, and then to Class AAA, in 2016, was traded to Seattle last December, and claimed off waivers by the Dodgers after posting a 19.80 ERA with Seattle.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins released righthander Nick Tepesch, who allowed seven runs (one earned) and got five outs against Boston in his lone start in Minnesota.