Three-game series at Target Field

Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Sonny Gray (2017 debut) vs. RHP Ervin Santana (4-0, 0.77)

Wed., 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Kendall Graveman (2-1, 2.25) vs. LHP Hector Santiago (2-1, 2.43)

Thursday, 12:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Jharel Cotton (2-3, 5.00) vs. RHP Kyle Gibson (0-3, 8.06)

Athletics update

Gray, a 2015 All-Star who went 5-11 with a 5.69 ERA in 2016, will make his season debut after recovering from a strained right lat muscle. He threw 11 scoreless innings in his minor league rehabilitation stint. … The Twins are running into another offensively challenged team. Oakland scored only eight runs over three games at Houston. But LF Khris Davis hit three homers in the series, driving in five runs, and hit 10 in April. ... Former Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe is looking forward to the series, telling reporters, "It'll be nice to see everyone again, but I want to beat up on them for sure."

Twins update

Gibson is the first Twin to give up a home run in each of his first five outings since Liam Hendriks in 2012, when the Australian did it in his first seven games. Hendriks, coincidentally, is in his second year with the A's. … RHP Brandon Kintzler gave up his first run of the season Sunday when Kansas City's Whit Merrifield homered, but he improved to 7-for-7 in save opportunities. … 1B Joe Mauer is hitting .225, the worst April average of his career. … The Twins were 2-4 against Oakland last season but won two of three games at home.

La VELLE E. NEAL III