Hector Santiago's bereavement leave from Twins creates bullpen option

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The Twins are leaning toward calling up a pitcher while lefthander Hector Santiago is on the bereavement list. His grandmother, Nelly Rodriguez, died Tuesday at age 80.

Santiago's turn in the rotation doesn't come up again until Tuesday, when the Twins open a three-game series against Oakland. That is five days following his start Wednesday in Texas, in which he left the game after giving up two runs in five innings, so the Twins can add another bullpen option to the mix during his absence. By rule, players have to spend at least three days and no more than seven on the bereavement list.

The early money is on lefthander Buddy Boshers, who was called up Sunday and got seven outs before he was sent back to Class AAA Rochester later that day. He has not pitched returning to the minors and would be fresh. It also would enable the club to atone for the quick turnaround he endured.

Righthander J.T. Chargois earned the save Tuesday and has pitched 2 ⅔ scoreless innings since returning from a shoulder muscle strain. He also looms as an option after pitching poorly in spring training.

That's it for options at Rochester for relievers on the 40-man roster.

"I have presented what I thought were options, given rosters and all those type of things," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "It's a situation where you try to select someone who can help you win a game. Multiple games even better."

There is no doubt Miguel Sano is more comfortable at third base than right field. He's showing his agility and athleticism there despite being listed at 262 pounds (probably closer to 270).

"The bunt was the highlight, for me, of the three," Molitor said. "We tried to back him up on the count, knowing Gomez's tendencies. Gomez peripherally saw that he backed up and tried to beat him. It's amazing that a man with that size and quickness has the ability to finish that play."

Sano wasn't finished. He lunged to his left in the fourth to snare a grounder, then scrambled to his feet to throw out Mike Napoli. He also made a leaping stab of Napoli's line drive in the seventh.

Sano said after Tuesday's game that he watches talented defensive third baseman such as the Rangers' Adrian Beltre and the Orioles' Manny Machado to pick up tips on how to handle the hot corner.

"I try to learn from those guys," Sano said. "I watch Machado when he sets up, and Beltre. So I try to learn. You have to be ready all the time."

Righthander Nick Tepesch was called up Monday and was ready to pitch if the Twins needed a long reliever. But Phil Hughes pitched six innings Monday and Ervin Santana tossed seven innings Tuesday, so he has not been needed.

"He's started, he's been a swing guy, he's done a lot of things," Molitor said. "He probably knows what he needs to do when you have these extended periods when you are not getting in the game."

• General Manager Thad Levine left the club for a day to head to Houston and to do some draft scouting.