Miguel Sano gets warm welcome, goes hitless in two at-bats

MILWAUKEE – Miguel Sano was listed ninth in the Twins' starting lineup for only the second time in his career on Tuesday, a stark illustration of the prove-it expectations for his return to the team.

But whether he can reclaim a full-time role, whether he can turn around his .091 batting average, whether the Twins are ready to move on — all of that was put aside when the slugging first baseman walked into the clubhouse for the first time since April.

"He's one of the funniest guys in this clubhouse, if not the funniest. He brings a lot of good energy, good vibes, a lot of laughter," Carlos Correa said. "He brings a lot of fun to this clubhouse, and he also brings a bat that can carry a lineup. So I'm really looking forward to him continuing what he was doing in the minor leagues, which was like an 1.100 OPS. If he can do that here, we're going to be in a great spot."

"If" is a big word in that context, of course, but Sano's five home runs in 12 rehab games, following surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee, gives the team hope that Sano will follow his career pattern of getting hot in July and August. The 29-year-old Dominican was activated Tuesday, with outfielder Gilberto Celestino optioned back to Class AAA St. Paul.

"I don't have any issue right now. I feel normal, feel really good," Sano said. "It's a big time to come back and do my job."

That job has changed in his absence, with the presence of Alex Kirilloff and Jose Miranda on the roster, and All-Star Luis Arraez occupying his position at first base most days.

"The expectations for him are very simple: Work hard and be ready to go when his opportunities are in front of him," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said, who said Sano "was great" when that was explained to him. "He said, 'I'm ready. Whatever you need me for, I'm ready for.' And I believe him."

Sano batted twice in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Brewers, flying out to center field in his first at-bat and striking out in the next one before being lifted for Arraez, who batted for hin and remained in the game at first base.

• The pinkie toe on Max Kepler's right foot is broken — technically "a mildly displaced fracture," Baldelli said — but he remains on the roster because the Twins believe he might be able to play by this weekend. "He's going to be sore and he's bruised and it's swollen and he's probably going to be hobbling around a little bit," the manager said of the injury, suffered Sunday when he was hit by a Rony Garcia pitch. But the Twins are optimistic those symptoms could disappear quickly.