(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Miguel Sano leads off as Michael Pineda, Byron Buxton return for Twins
Pineda sat out the first 36 games of the season to finish his 60-game suspension for using a masking agent in 2019.
September 1, 2020 at 9:02PM
Michael Pineda will start for the Twins tonight (7:10 p.m., FSN) in the second game of a crucial three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field.
Center fielder Byron Buxton also returns from a shoulder injury and will be in the lineup tonight.
The Twins have lost six in a row. Miguel Sano will lead off tonight as they try to break that string.
Pineda was suspended for 60 games last year for using a diruetic, which can be used as a masking agent for PEDs. The original suspension was 80 games, but he appealed, saying he used the diruetic to lose weight. He had to serve the remaining 36 games this season.
To make room for Buxton and Pineda on the 28-player roster, outfielder LaMonte Wade (seven games, 3-for-15) was sent to the St. Paul site and reliever Juan Minaya was designated for release or assignment.
The Twins lost the opener on Monday night 8-5 and fell two-and-a-half games behind first place Chicago in the American League Central.
Dallas Keuchel pitches for Chicago tonight.
WHITE SOX
Tim Anderson, SS
Yasmani Grandal, C
Jose Abreu, 1B
Edwin Encarnacion, DH
Eloy Jiminez, LF
Luis Robert, CF
Nomar Mazara, RF
Yolmer Sanchez, 3B
Nick Madrigal, 2B
TWINS
Miguel Sano, 1B
Jorge Polanco, SS
Nelson Cruz, DH
Marwin Gonzalez, RF
Eddie Rosario, LF
Ehire Adrianza, 3B
Byron Buxton, CF
Ildemaro Vargas, 2B
Ryan Jeffers, C
Michael Pineda photo by Carlos Gonzalez
A former second-round pick of the Rangers, Alex Speas has pitched in four major league games.