Twins notes: Wilkin Ramirez returns

The season has restarted for Twins outfielder Wilkin Ramirez, who returned to a major league dugout Monday for the first time since May 25.

"It was frustrating, but it is over with and it's time to move forward and help any way I can," Ramirez said.

Ramirez was activated from the disabled list after recovering from two bouts of concussion symptoms. The first one occurred on May 25, when he collided with Josh Willingham while chasing a fly ball. He didn't believe he had a concussion until he got on the team charter bound for Milwaukee — and got sick.

He was placed on the seven-day concussion DL, went through the tests and eventually was cleared to play. He joined Class A Fort Myers on June 20. On June 23, he dived for a ball and felt the symptoms return.

"I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm down again,' " Ramirez said.

It took longer for him to shake off all the symptoms the second time.

"What helped me a lot were the trainers in here," Ramirez said. "They have been through concussions before and they know what it takes. They kept me strong."

"I got my backup center fielder back," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who was worried about using Oswaldo Arcia in center if anything happened to starter Clete Thomas.

Josh Willingham was the designated hitter for all four games in Chicago last weekend. But Monday was the day for him to grab a glove and take himself and his surgically repaired left knee out to left field. He went 2-for-17 in those games, with one of those hits being a home run.

Willingham missed 33 games while having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the knee. He is now running as well as can be expected for a man of his size.

"His legs feel great," Gardenhire said. "They feel better than in spring training."

Arcia, who has been playing in left, moved to right for the series opener vs. Cleveland. Joe Mauer was the designated hitter.

Outfielders Darin Mastroianni and Aaron Hicks could have been options to be selected over Ramirez, but both are banged up at Class AAA Rochester. And both of them are slumping at the plate.

Mastroianni has a sore knee and was 0-for-12 in the three games he has been able to play in.

Hicks is batting .209 in 12 games since been sent down, and has misplayed some balls in the field. He also has been battling a sore heel in recent days. Hicks was told when he was demoted on Aug. 1 that he would have to earn a September call-up, but it looks like he's going to have to rally to make that happen.

The Twins could elect to keep him at Rochester, especially if the Red Wings, currently in first place in the International League North Division, reach the playoffs.