Twins notes: Nolasco leaves early because of sore ankle

Twins righthander Ricky Nolasco was forced from Sunday's game because of a sore right ankle and was sent for a magnetic resonance imaging exam.

The Twins hope to have the results of the MRI by Monday. Until then, he's day-to-day. But it could be a big development for a starting rotation that has been the backbone of the Twins' success so far.

"It's more to deal with the reality of what kind of physical injury he's going to be dealing with," Twins manager Paul Molitor said "In terms of if he can come back and pitch right away, miss a turn throw a side. If there's damage in there were are probably going to have to readjust. It's just one of those things you have to deal with, unfortunately."

Molitor said Nolasco injured himself in the first inning and tried to pitch the second. Molitor and trainer Tony Leo had go to the mound with the count 2-1 to Russell Martin in the second when Nolasco began to have trouble. He threw a few warmup pitches and decided to remain in the game.

He gave up a single to Martin and a single to Chris Colabello before having more trouble with the ankle. A second trip to the mound was needed, where the decision was made for him to leave the game. J.R. Graham replaced Nolasco, who threw 28 pitches and was charged with two earned runs over one-plus innings.

If Nolasco can't make his next start, it could mean another opportunity for lefthander Tommy Milone, who has a 0.70 ERA in five starts at Class AAA Rochester since his demotion.

The Twins tentatively have circled July 5 as the date righthander Ervin Santana makes his Twins debut following the completion of his 80-game suspension for testing positive for the drug stanozolol.

A lot of things have to go the right way over the next month for Santana to join the rotation. First, there has to be availability, and Twins starters entered Sunday with a respectable 3.98 ERA.

Even Milone is on simmer at Rochester, waiting for his chance.

"He's doing well," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said o Milone. "Unfortunately for him right now there's no room at the inn."

Then Santana's preparation in Fort Myers has to go smoothly. Santana threw to live hitters Saturday, then threw some more in the bullpen for a total of 70 pitches. He will throw in the bullpen Tuesday and is building toward pitching in extended spring training games.

In mid-June, Santana will start a 16-game rehabilitation assignment that will get him ready to join the club.

"It's just like going through spring training again, it's about what it comes down to," Ryan said. "Whether he starts [the rehab assignment] at Fort Myers or we ship him up to Rochester, you'd like to get him to a level that has the highest competition. We will try to do that as soon as we can."

And Ryan is hoping Santana steps right into the rotation and contributes.

"He's been out for a long time, although he took every start in spring training and did well," Ryan said. "From what we saw in spring training he was pretty effective, so I don't know why he wouldn't be able to be effective."

Former Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, who has been visiting friends in the area, swung by the Twins clubhouse before Sunday's game and chatted with Molitor and Brian Dozier.

Dozier lives near Favre in Hattiesburg, Miss., and the two are friends.

If he hung around for the game, he saw a good one.

"He was excited to catch a game," said Dozier, who might go deer hunting with Favre during the offseason.