Paul Molitor wants reinforcements for his roster when the Twins return to action Tuesday. The calendar may limit how many he gets for a while.
First baseman Kennys Vargas, shortstop Danny Santana, catcher Eric Fryer and righthanded relievers Michael Tonkin and A.J. Achter will be at Target Field on Tuesday, the first wave of arrivals from Class AAA Rochester.
More are expected to join the team once minor league seasons end next Monday or, in the case of Class AA Chattanooga, after the Southern League playoffs.
Top pitching prospect Jose Berrios allowed a solo home run to Pawtucket's Chris Marrero, but allowed no other runs over six innings Monday, striking out five and walking none in Rochester's 4-2 victory. General Manager Terry Ryan was in attendance to watch, but it's not clear if Ryan intends to promote Berrios this month.
The 21-year-old Puerto Rican has pitched a career-high 161 innings this season and is not on the 40-man roster, so promoting him would require waiving a player.
After Monday's start, Berrios told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that he hasn't yet been told what's coming. "I don't know; I'm waiting for something," he said. "If they call me up, I will thank God."
If he doesn't get called up, Berrios added: "I respect the boss and the decision."
Major league rosters can expand to 40 on Sept. 1, but unlike last season, the date doesn't coincide with the traditional Labor Day end to the minor league season.