Twins could call up pitcher Jose Berrios next

Byron Buxton has been called up by the Twins this season. Miguel Sano has been called up. Alex Meyer has been called up.

Is it time for Jose Berrios to be the next top prospect to debut for the Twins?

Berrios looms as an option as the Twins figure out who will start on Saturday against Cleveland. Tyler Duffey, called up to replace the injured Tommy Milone in the rotation, was sent down after getting roughed up by Toronto on Aug. 4. So they need a starter.

Berrios, the third-ranked prospect in the organization by Baseball America before the season, is scheduled to start Friday for Class AAA Rochester against Scranton Wilkes-Barre. It doesn't seen too unreasonable to push Berrios back a day to help the Twins' cause.

"We kind of have an idea of where things might line up," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "There's some other little things going on that might influence it between now and the next 24 to 36 hours. Things could change in a day or so."

Click here to see Jose Berrios' minor-league statistics.

Milone, on the disabled list because of a strained left elbow, will throw in the bullpen Thursday and could be activated. But Molitor said Milone had a better chance of moving into the rotation after Saturday.

If Milone does start, he'll likely be on a 75-80 pitch limit.

Righthander Kyle Gibson, meanwhile has offered to pitch on short rest. Molitor doesn't want to do that to him.

"I'm going to keep working on him," Gibson said.

Berrios, 21, is 11-4 with a 3.06 ERA between Class AA Chattanooga and Rochester. In his last outing on Saturday, he threw seven scoreless innings against Charlotte, giving up five hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. He throws a fastball that reaches 95 miles per hour, a good curveball and a changeup he's worked into his routine more. He's 33-19 with a 3.05 ERA in his minor league career. He has worked his way into the discussion for a September call-up anyway, what's a couple of extra weeks?

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan didn't tip his hand when asked about Berrios' candidacy to start Saturday.

The Twins would have to add Berrios to the 40-man roster if they call him up, but they have one spot available.

So the guy who starts on Saturday might not be in the Twins clubhouse yet.

"Possibly," Molitor said.

The Twins could announce Saturday's starter as soon as Thursday.

• Eduardo Escobar was the hero with the game-winning hit Tuesday, but Molitor started Eduardo Nunez at shortstop on Wednesday. One, Molitor said Nunez needed to play after Escobar has started a long stretch of games. Two, he liked Nunez against Nick Martinez. Righthanded hitters entered Wednesday batting .298 against Martinez.

• Ryan is not ready to declare Ricky Nolasco's season over. The righthander, who had surgery last month to remove an impingement in his right ankle, is out of his walking boot and is doing strengthening exercises.