Miguel Sano's elbow pain is mere inflammation, a magnetic resonance imaging exam found Monday, and not a structural problem.

Sano has felt discomfort in his right elbow — the same elbow he had Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on in 2014 — since the Twins played at Tampa Bay Aug. 5-7. He hasn't played third base since the problem cropped up, serving as designated hitter since the elbow doesn't bother him at the plate.

The Twins decided over the weekend to send Sano for an MRI, since the soreness had lingered, but the results were negative. Sano traveled to Atlanta with the team Monday night, and he will be available to play when the two-game series with the Braves opens Tuesday.

Sand's return to third will be up to the team's trainers and manager Paul Molitor.

Phil Miller