Twins place closer Glen Perkins on disabled list

The Twins have placed reliever Glen Perkins on the disabled list with a shoulder strain.

Left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers has been called up from Class AAA Rochester.

Perkins has struggled in two appearances this season, blowing a save in a 4-3 loss Sunday at Kansas City. The lefthander has a 9.00 ERA in two games, allowing five hits in two innings.

He has in previous seasons frequently thrown fastballs timed at 95-97 mph when he is healthy. But this season he has generally been in the 90-92 range.

Perkins has had health issues in the second half of each of the last three seasons. A year ago he was virtually unhittable in the first half, going 28-for-28 in save situations while posting a 1.21 before the All-Star break. But in the second half he had a 7.32 ERA and four saves, ultimately losing his closer's job to Kevin Jepsen.

Perkins had neck and back problems during the second half of last season. He had right knee surgery after the 2013 season and he was shut down in September of 2014 with a forearm strain and nerve problem in his left arm.

Manager Paul Molitor returned Perkins to the closer role prior to this year's spring training after the pitcher went on an extended offseason conditioning program. But Perkins' fastball was below his normal velocity all spring, and has not improved in the first week of the regular season.

It's likely that Jepsen will return to the closer's role with Perkins sidelined. Jepsen had 10 saves for the Twins last season and a 1.61 ERA in 29 appearances after being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay.