Twins' Ervin Santana looks sharp in first rehab start
Twins right-hander Ervin Santana took the next step towards joining the big league this weekend.
Santana, who is eligible to return from his 80-game PED suspension on July 4, was effective in his start for Triple-A Rochester on Saturday night.
Santana went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks. He also struck out three and threw 53 of his 88 pitches for strikes.
"Everything was very good," Santana said via the Star Tribune. "Location was good. Every pitch I throw was good.
"The good thing is that we won, first, and the second thing is that I did my job."
The last time Santana had pitched in an official game was on Sept. 26, 2014, when he was with the Atlanta Braves.
"He was rusty, but he threw 88 pitches," Twins general manager Terry Ryan told MLB.com. "He used all his stuff. They won the game. I think it was good opening for him. Now it's up with competition that's legit.
"All in all, I think it was a favorable line. And now we'll get him up to 100 pitches in his next outing in five days and gear him up for his return. He's right on schedule and hasn't had any setbacks, which is exactly what you hoped would happen."
Santana is scheduled to make two more starts with Rochester. He will stay with the Red Wings until his suspension is lifted July 4, while the Twins are in Kansas City, and make his 2015 debut against the Royals on July 5.
(h/t MLB.com, Star Tribune)
