Twins ineffective reliever Addison Reed headed for 10-day disabled list with tendinitis

Working with diminished velocity, a career-low strikeout rate and on pace to give up a career high in home runs, reliever Addison Reed has been trying to find something that works on the mound.

But little has worked, and now he's injured.

Reed was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of triceps tendinitis in his right arm. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging exam revealed inflammation and swelling in the area, as well as a impingement near the elbow, but no structural damage.

Twins officials said the timing is right, with the upcoming All-Star break, for him to get healthy.

"The way I have been throwing is frustrating enough," Reed said, "and then to have this pop up puts the icing on the cake."

Reed signed a two-year, $16.75 million contract with the Twins during the offseason to be the main setup man behind closer Fernando Rodney, or fill in for Rodney if he needed a break or was struggling. Fans clamored for Reed to close when he posted a 0.90 ERA over his first eight appearances while Rodney struggled.

But Reed's velocity dipped and his command faltered, leading to some ugly outings. Over his past 16 appearances, Reed has a 9.42 ERA while giving up five home runs. Opponents have batted .387 while posting a 1.112 on-base plus slugging percentage against him. Consequently, he lost his spot as the eighth-inning pitcher. Now the Twins want to get him healthy.

"We just looked at that little tenderness that he's been experiencing, and thought it was a good chance to take advantage of the break, as well as just make sure that that's all he's got going on," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "And we'll do what we need to do in that regard.

"But yeah, it just seems to make sense for him to back off and reset, make sure he's coming into the second half back to 100 percent."

Righthander Alan Busenitz was called up from Class AAA Rochester to take Reed's roster spot. This will be Busenitz's third stint with the team this year. He's 2-0 with a 6.43 ERA in his first two stretches with the team. He's been outstanding for the Red Wings, going 2-2 with a 1.41 ERA in 20 games.

Trevor Hildenberger will continue to get most of the late-inning setup work.

Twins righthander Lance Lynn offered a dose of trade deadline reality when asked about dealing with trade rumors and if there is motivation to make the front office be buyers and not sellers.

"In this game I've learned that you go where you're told, because they pay you," said Lynn, who was signed to a one year, $12 million contract during the offseason. "That's just the way it works. Unless you've got a no-trade clause. Then you can tell 'em, 'No. No thanks. I'm good.' I don't know if anyone has one. Maybe Joe [Mauer]? So everyone else can just wear it and do what they're told."

Mauer does have a no-trade clause in his eight-year, $184 million contract.

Ehire Adrianza said he's ready to be activated from the disabled list Thursday after treating a sore left hamstring. He's been going through fielding drills before games and has worked on his swing in the batting cages with hitting coach James Rowson. He ran the bases Wednesday with no problems.

"He's been feeling pretty good the last couple of days in particular," Molitor said.

Adrianza's return could mean Willians Astudillo could be headed back to Class AAA Rochester.

The plan for Miguel Sano, who is working on his swing and conditioning at Class A Fort Myers, has been to play two games, then take a day off. He's made enough progress that he might start playing three consecutive days or more in the near future.