Hughes returns from DL to face the Tigers

Phil Hughes has been reinstated from the disabled list and will be on the mound tonight as the Twins take on the Tigers at Target Field.

His challenge, if he chooses to accept it, is to continue to current form of the pitching staff.

The Twins staff enters the game with a 3.57 ERA this month, second best in the American League and sixth best in all of baseball. The Twins have have seen Ervin Santana find his groove in recent starts, and Kyle Gibson and Tyler Duffey have given the Twins good starts in each of the last two games.

The Twins PR staff adds that the starters have had a 2.56 ERA over their last nine games and the relievers have had a 2.92 ERA over the last 23 games. If the Twins are going to throw the ball like that, they will continue to put heat on the Rangers for the final AL wild card spot.

Or is it heat on the Astros?

Houston has struggled and hold just a one-half game lead over Texas for the division lead. They send Collin McHugh versus Martin Perez tonight and the Astros fight to stay in first place.

Will check back later with lineups and any updates. We should learn by the end of the day when Duffey pitches again. The Twins have announced that Tommy Milone, Mike Pelfrey and Gibson will start the first three games of the Angels series. TBA is listed for Sunday.

Torii Hunter, 1-for-10 against Simon, is not in the starting lineup. Twins manager Paul Molitor acknowedged that Hunter has been swinging better of late. That, paried with the importance of the games, makes it increasingly difficult for him to sit Hunter out.

"He fights me about being in the lineup," Molitor said. "And I like those kind of fights."

The Twins will start Tommy Milone, Mike Pelfrey and Kyle Gibson during the first three games against the Angels. The starter for Sunday's game will be determined after the game. If Hughes pitches well, he will likely start Sunday and Tyler Duffey will be pushed back. If Hughes has problems, Duffey will start on Sunday.

Tigers righthander Anibal Sanchez has been scratched from Wednesday's start after his shoulder flared up. Lefthander Daniel Norris, who was going to piggyback with Sanchez, will now start.

Tigers

Alfredo Simon, RHP

Twins

Aaron Hicks, RF
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, 1B
Miguel Sano, DH
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Eddie Rosario, LF
Eduardo Escobar, SS
Kurt Suzuki, C
Byron Buxton, CF