ARLINGTON, Texas -- Michael Pineda, on the 10-day injured list because of strained triceps, was activated today by the Twins and will start tonight's game against the Rangers.
The Twins open a four-game series while leading the American League Central by a half-game over the Cleveland Indians.
Pineda is 7-5 with a 4.15 ERA and two stints on the injured list as the pitches his first season after Tommy John surgery. He is 1-4 with a 5.05 ERA against the Rangers in his career.
The Twins sent Randy Dobnak back to Class AAA Rochester. Dobnak pitched four scoreless innings in his first stint in the big leagues Friday in a loss to Cleveland.
Willians Astudillo (oblique) is starting a rehab assignment with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA) today. He's batting second and catching for the Blue Wahoos against Chattanooga in a lineup that has Alex Kirilloff leading off, Royce Lewis batting third and Trevor Larnach hitting cleanup.
The series preview is here.
A look at the fielding struggles of Jorge Polanco leads the Twins notebook.
The Twins lineup tonight:
