Twins' Matt Magill likely returning from paternity list to a new role

CLEVELAND – Twins righthander Matt Magill has been reinstated from the paternity list and is about to take on two new responsibilities at once.

Magill rejoined the team Tuesday after spending a few days in San Diego with his wife, Melissa, for the birth of the couple's first child, a boy named Maverick.

"He's doing great. Mom's doing great," the first-time father said. "Everything went smooth."

Papa Magill admitted that he has not had much sleep the past few days, especially after taking a red-eye Tuesday morning to re-join the team. Manager Paul Molitor said he had no problems using him right away, although he was not called upon in the Twins' 3-2 victory over the Indians.

"I think being back here, being back with the guys at the ballpark and the environment of a major league stadium, I think you find a way to get it done," Molitor said.

Once Magill enters a game, it likely will be in a different role. He has mainly been used as a long reliever, going 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA. Partly out of merit and partly out of need, Molitor will use him in the sixth and seventh innings as he tries to build that bridge to the ninth inning.

That bridge has showed cracks and deformities lately since Ryan Pressly was dealt to Houston just over a week ago. Trevor Hildenberger likely will get the ball in the eighth inning, and Addison Reed will be used carefully as he looks to regain his form. Oliver Drake was recently claimed off waivers. Someone righthanded needs to step up, and Magill get his chance to.

Magill has a good fastball that's averaging 94.4 miles per hour. And he's made strides with his other pitches while learning how to get hitters out.

"I think the way he's improved his breaking ball is what has elevated his effectiveness against both righties and lefties," Molitor said. "He had that cutter-slider early, but he's kind of added more depth. Basically, it's almost like two different breaking balls now and they seem to be playing better with the combination of velocity that he has."

To make room for Magill, righthander Matt Belisle was put on the 10-day disabled list because of a sore right knee. Molitor said Belisle has been bothered by the knee in the past. And it flared up on him after pitching Monday.

The results weren't pretty, as he gave up four runs and two homers in a 10-0 loss. For the season, Belisle has a 7.71 ERA overall — 9.15 with the Twins.

"I think the outing and the length [Monday] added to the irritation," Molitor said. "We talked about it some last night. We're just in a position where we can back you off for a little bit and get you feeling a little bit better."

In 17 games with the E-Town Twins, Larnach batted .300 with two home runs, 15 RBI, 10 walks and 11 strikeouts. Both home runs came over his past eight games, during which he batted .346.

The 20th overall pick of the draft out of Oregon State received a $2.55 million signing bonus.

Class AA Chattanooga manager Tommy Watkins will manage in the Arizona Fall League this offseason, the league announced Tuesday. Watkins, who played briefly with the Twins in 2007 before turning to coaching, will manage the Salt River Rafters. The league, for some of the better prospects in the game, takes place in October and November.