Twins' search for new general manager could spill past season

When the Twins announced July 18 that Terry Ryan was fired as general manager, they indicated they would like to have a permanent replacement in place by the end of the regular season.

But Twins President Dave St. Peter said Friday the search could last into the offseason as they weave their way through the candidate pool and work with other clubs as respectfully as possible.

"If you're going to consider candidates who are working for other teams, there's a process you must go through that is aimed toward being respectful to that other team in teams of seeking permission to talk to those folks, as well as understanding that the timing could be unsettling for an organization," St. Peter said.

That, conceivably, also enables the Twins to connect with candidates who are with teams making playoff runs.

St. Peter said the Twins are doing their due diligence on potential candidates in addition to receiving help from search firm Korn Ferry. Next week's owner's meetings in Houston will give the team the opportunity to work on its wish list.

"I'm sure there will be a robust level of discussion," St. Peter said.

But the Twins aren't worried about taking their search into October.

"We said we'd like to have it completed by the end of the baseball season, but that's more of a goal and certainly not a requirement," St. Peter said. "We're realistic enough to know that it might need to extend beyond that."

Lefthander Pat Dean was called up to give the beleaguered Twins bullpen another option.

In 16 starts with Class AAA Rochester, Dean is 5-7 with a 5.56 ERA. He spent six weeks with the Twins in May and June, going 1-3 with a 5.54 ERA in eight games (six starts) before returning to the minors.

Since then, he is 4-4 with a 7.36 ERA. He gave up six earned runs in 2⅔ innings Tuesday in his most recent outing. No, those aren't impressive numbers, but the Twins bullpen needed a break.

"He should be able to give us a little bit of length," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "Not totally rested, but enough to where he can go out there and pitch for us."

Dean did Friday, pitching the final three innings of the 7-3 loss to the Royals.

Dean replaces fellow lefty Tommy Milone, who went on the 15-day disabled list Friday because of left biceps tendinitis. Buddy Boshers also went on the DL because of a sore right elbow.

Rookie J.T. Chargois threw 25 pitches Thursday in his return to the majors, but when Kyle Gibson was pulled in the sixth inning Friday, Chargois was summoned to replace him.

After Friday's game, the Twins designated lefthander Andrew Albers for assignment. Albers on Thursday was called up from Class AAA Rochester and threw 108 pitches in six innings in relief of Milone in the second game. He is expected to clear waivers and return to Rochester.

The Twins will announce who will be added to roster on Saturday. Righthander Pat Light is a possibility.

Righthander Trevor May continues to undergo a battery of tests on his back. Doctors suspect that he has an imbalance in the area that is leading to discomfort.

The next step will be for him to undergo a bone scan Monday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

"They haven't eliminated everything," Molitor said. "That's why [he] is undergoing more testing."