Aaron Slegers was in the running for a start a few times this season, but the Twins have gone with others, like Fernando Romero and Adalberto Mejia.
Now, he's getting his chance.
Slegers has been named their starter for Thursday's series opener against the Orioles.
Slegers, 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA for Class AAA Rochester, was called up on May 30 and pitched in relief against Royals at Kauffman Stadium. He gave up two earned runs over 51/3 innings after coming in for Fernando Romero, who was knocked out in the second inning.
Since returning to Rochester, Slegers is 0-4 with a 4.08 ERA in five outings.
The Twins needed a starter for Thursday after Mejia lasted just four innings on Saturday against the Cubs in Chicago. And Mejia was a sub for Romero, who was optioned to Rochester on June 24.
The 6-foot-10 Slegers debuted last season, going 0-1 with a 6.46 ERA in four games (three starts). He went 15-4, 3.40 at Rochester last season, earning the Jim Rantz Award as the Twins minor league pitcher of the year.
To make room on the roster for Slegers, the Twins optioned lefthander Gabriel Moya to Rochester.
