Polanco returns to Twins, but not in lineup; no timetable for Hughes

Report from Target Field by Joe Christensen (@joecstrib)

Jorge Polanco is back from the bereavement list, but Twins manager Paul Molitor is waiting to throw him back in the lineup.

Polanco hasn’t played since June 3, and Manager Paul Molitor didn’t want to rush him back into the lineup.

“I’m sure he’ll be available [off the bench], but we’ll give him a chance to run around and see how he’s doing and try to get him back in [the lineup] in the short term,” Molitor said.

Hughes searching for answers

The Twins still have no timetable for starting pitcher Phil Hughes’ return from his right shoulder injury. Molitor said Monday that Hughes has experienced “sensations in fingers and things that we’re not totally sure what the source is.”

“We’re going to try to do the best we can to try to get to the bottom of what we need to do to get him moving forward,” Molitor said. “Try to get him to throw a little bit and address those things, but we’re still not sure the best way to go.”

Hughes is 4-3 with a 5.74 ERA in nine starts this season.

Perkins update

All-Star closer Glen Perkins (shoulder injury) is scheduled to have a simulated game in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, Molitor said.

“Potentially if things go well, he’s going to join the [Class A] Miracle here [on a rehab assignment] in the next 10 days or so,” Molitor said.

Etc.

The rain is falling and the tarp is out at Target Field. With the MLB draft today (6 p.m.), the Twins are hosting a pregame "draft party" that is set to start at 5:30.

Joe Christensen (@joecstrib) reporting from the ballpark tonight with La Velle covering the draft and Phil stuck in the airport in San Francisco.

Here are the lineups

TWINS

1. Brian Dozier, 2B

2. Robbie Grossman, LF

3. Joe Mauer, 1B

4. Miguel Sano, 3B

5. Max Kepler, RF

6. Kennys Vargas, DH

7. Jason Castro, C

8. Byron Buxton, CF

9. Ehire Adrianza, SS