Moya called up for Facebook-only game; Astudillo plays second in Milwaukee

The Twins have recalled lefthander Gabriel Moya from Class AAA Rochester for today's 3:10 p.m. game in Milwaukee.

Moya has a 1.64 ERA in 20 appearances for the Red Wings, striking out 38 batters in 33 innings. He made the club out of spring training but was sent down after giving up six runs in five innings of work.

The Twins sent righthander Zack Littell down after he pitched the 10th inning on Monday, during which he loaded the bases then walked in the winning run. Littell had just been called up earlier that day to prop up a fatigued bullpen.

This means the Twins still need a starter for Thursday when they open a three-game series against the Orioles.

Today's game at Milwaukee, BTW, is only on Facebook ... so plan accordingly.

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Some updates before Game 8 of the road trip from hell

Willians Astudillo, thrust into a super utility role that no one anticipated, is starting at second. Molitor conceded that his range might not be the best. It's hard not to root for a guy like him, because he doesn't look like a ballplayer but has reached the majors.

The Twins are close to naming their rotation for the Baltimore series, perhaps as soon as postgame today. My guess is Aaron Slegers will start on Thursday, but Fernando Romero will be out of the 10-day no recall zone by then.

Gabriel Moya is here, he said his slider is better and he's ready to contribute. Molitor said Moya has been getting weaker contact on his slider, a good sign. And Moya, who has started a couple games for the Red ?Wings, could be more than a one-inning guy.

"No problem getting 40 pitches out of him if I needed to," Molitor said.

Molitor admitted it looked bad last night, but Eduardo Escobar getting thrown out on the bases in the ninth inning wasn't bad. Molitor preaches aggressive baserunning, and said it looks worse if the shortstop bounces a throw by the first baseman and a runner is just standing on third base. So he wants his players to be aggressive there and hope they can score through the back door.