Twins pitcher Liam Hendriks is heading back to the minors.
Minnesota optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Rochester after Sunday's game to make room for Scott Diamond on the 25-man roster. It was announced Saturday that Diamond, a left-hander, would be recalled prior to Monday's game at Target Field.
Hendriks started the year on the Twins' Opening Day roster and was thrust into the rotation after an elbow injury sidelined Scott Baker for the season. But in four starts with Minnesota this year, Hendriks was 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in 18 innings. He gave up a combined 13 runs on 18 hits in his last two outings (6 1/3 total innings).
Hendriks made his big league debut last season with Minnesota, making four starts as a September call-up. He was 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 23 1/3 innings. He split time between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester last year and was named Minnesota's Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going a combined 12-6 with a 3.36 ERA in 24 starts at the two levels.
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