The Twins open a three-game weekend series against the National League Central-leading Brewers tonight (7:10, BSN) at Target Field.
Twins activate Jorge Alcala, call up Ian Gibaut from St. Paul
Relievers Kyle Barraclough and Edgar García were sent back to the Saints before Friday's game against the Brewers at Target Field.
Byron Buxton will return to the lineup and hit leadoff for the Twins. Mitch Garver went on the 10-day IL because of a back strain.
The Twins reinstated Jorge Alcala from the injured list and called up another reliever, Ian Gibaut, from Class AAA St. Paul.
Kyle Barraclough and Edgar García, both relievers, were sent down to the Saints.
Alcala missed 15 games because of triceps tendinitis. In 45 games for the Twins this season, he is 3-5 with a 5.11 ERA.
Gibaut, 27, will make his Twins debut. He was a waiver claim from Texas at the end of last season, and in 27 games for the Saints he was 1-3 with a 7.2 ERA. He is a veteran of 24 major league games with the Rays and Rangers; he'll wear No. 65.
Barraclough gave up four runs in three games with the Twins and Garcia, in six games, gave up 12 runs.
Pitcher Luke Farrell (right oblique strain) moved to the 60-day injured list to make room for Gibaut on the 40-man roster.
Andrew Albers makes his first start for the Twins tonight against lefthander Eric Lauer (4-4, 3.59).
BREWERS LINEUP
Kolten Wong, 2B
Luis Urias, SS
Christian Yelich, DH
Avisail Garcia, RF
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Rowdy Tellez, 1B
Manny Pina, C
Jace Peterson, LF
Pablo Reyes, 3B
TWINS LINEUP
Byron Buxton, CF
Jorge Polanco, 2B
Rob Refsnyder, LF
Josh Donaldson, DH
Miguel Sano, 1B
Ryan Jeffers, C
Max Kepler, RF
Willians Astudillo, 3B
Andrelton Simmons, SS
Robust competition is likely for righthander Roki Sasaki, whose agent suggests a “smaller, midmarket” team might be a good route to take, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are said to be the favorites to land him.