Twins notes: Sore Perkins to undergo MRI on left arm

Twins closer Glen Perkins will have a magnetic resonance imaging exam on his left arm on Thursday after he reported some soreness following his outing on Tuesday.

According to Twins General Manager Terry Ryan, Perkins will have his forearm, elbow and biceps checked out to make sure everything is structurally sound.

"He's got a little soreness, so we'll get it looked at," Ryan said.

Is it time for Twins fans to worry about their All-Star closer?

"There's not anything I can tell you until we get him seen and let's hear exactly what the diagnosis is," Ryan said. "I'll wait until they tell me."

Perkins has struggled lately, blowing three save chances while posting a 14.21 ERA. But concerns grew after his outing on Tuesday, during which he gave up a three-run home run to J.D. Martinez in the ninth inning. The Twins came back in the bottom of the inning to win, but Perkins' velocity was down a few miles an hour.

"Perkins came in [Tuesday] and said he didn't feel that great," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

The Twins turned to righthander Jared Burton (2-5, 4.55 ERA, two saves) to close Wednesday's game, though it was not a save situation. Gardenhire also said he could look to righthanders Michael Tonkin and Lester Oliveros, who both have closing experience in the minors and 95 mph fastballs.

But the bigger issue is what Perkins' exam will turn up.

"Let's get it looked at and see what we can find out," Ryan said.

Shortstop Eduardo Escobar had an MRI on his right shoulder on Wednesday, which showed nothing serious.

He has a jammed shoulder from diving for a ground ball Tuesday night. The Twins officially said he is day-to-day.

"I told him he's had a great, fantastic year at shortstop," Gardenhire said. "Offensively, 30-plus doubles. He's done more than you can ever ask for from him. Everyone talks about utility, but no doubt he has played himself into a starting player in this league."

Escobar's performance could persuade the Twins to start him at short next season and keep Danny Santana in the outfield. Santana stands to get a few starts at short while Escobar recovers.

• Oswaldo Arcia (back) took some swings before Wednesday's game and felt good. He'll likely start on Friday.

• Casey Fien is being rested this week. He's appeared in 71 games after appearing in 73 last season. He should be available Friday.

The Twins announced that they have signed a four-year player development agreement with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League. Chattanooga once was a minor league affiliate of the Washington Senators, with Harmon Killebrew, Jim Kaat and Jimmie Hall among its former players. The Twins ended their affiliation with New Britain of the Eastern League after 20 years.