The Minnesota Twins already lost one starting pitcher to a suspension before the year started. Now the Twins lost another, this time to injury.
The team announced Saturday that right-hander Ricky Nolasco was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 9 due to inflammation in his right elbow. Right-hander Trevor May was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take Nolasco's place on the roster and in the rotation.
Nolasco pitched Wednesday against Detroit but felt a twinge in his elbow during a pitch in the fourth inning. He flew back to Minneapolis for an MRI on his right elbow, which revealed there was no structural damage. Nolasco allowed six runs in three-plus innings in his season debut before exiting.
The 2014 season was one to forget for Nolasco, who went 6-12 with a 5.38 ERA in 27 starts with the Twins. That came after Nolasco signed a four-year, $49 million contract, which at the time was the largest free-agent deal ever given by Minnesota.
Nolasco's free-agent contract was topped this winter when the Twins signed Ervin Santana to a four-year, $55 million deal. However, Santana was suspended 80 games just days before the season started for testing positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid.
May, 25, made his major-league debut last season with the Twins. In 10 games (nine starts) with Minnesota, May was 3-6 with a 7.88 ERA. He competed for the No. 5 spot in the Twins' rotation this spring but was ultimately optioned to Rochester before the season started.
May, who had a 4.22 ERA in 10 2/3 innings during spring training with two walks and nine strikeouts, will start Minnesota's home opener on April 13 against the Kansas City Royals.
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