New Twins reliever Sam Dyson's shoulder hurt back in mid-July

New Twins reliever Sam Dyson's shoulder problems trace back to a July 15-17 series at Colorado during which he started to experience discomfort and tried to pitch through it.

Dyson pitched twice in the series for the Giants — the second game of a doubleheader on the 15th and on the 17th.

"My shoulder started bugging me, and I just kept throwing through it and throwing through it," he said.

Dyson then made five scoreless appearances after that before being dealt to the Twins on Wednesday for three minor leaguers. He was pitching well and apparently didn't tell the Giants about his condition — even though he said he felt discomfort when doing minor tasks like picking up a plate in the kitchen or changing clothes.

"It's something pitchers always have," he said. "I think everyone is always working through something. It's been there. Just been grinding on it."

But after two poor outings as a Twin — he gave up six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning — Dyson called General Manager Thad Levine to inform him of what he's been dealing with. The Twins then decided that placing him on the injured list was the best course of action.

Dyson has been resting ever since. He expects to start doing shoulder exercises Wednesday or Thursday. Then he'll play catch by the weekend and hopes to throw in the bullpen by early next week.

"I was just grinding through it the whole time, and I didn't want to put these guys in a bad spot because they're in first place," Dyson said.

Luis Arraez rose through the Twins minor league season primarily as a infielder but can help out elsewhere in a pinch. In six minor league seasons, Arraez appeared in the outfield 10 times, making three starts.

But in 47 games with the Twins, he has played in the outfield nine times, including seven starts. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli also has used Arraez at second, third and short in order to get his bat in the lineup.

Batting .356 will make a manager do such things. But Baldelli has been more than satisfied with how Arraez has handled outfield duties.

"You never know until you get guys out there," Baldelli said. "As much as you think this guy is a good ballplayer, this guy has good instincts, this guy can run a little, you do not know until you put them out there and watch them react and see what they do.

"I can tell you for a fact I've been dead wrong on some guys and right on other guys. You just don't really know until they play. Luis has proven to be able to go out there and make the plays."

Willians Astudillo, recovering from a left oblique strain, swung a bat before Monday's game. A sign of progress? Yes and no.

Astudillo is making progress but still is facing a long road to returning to the Twins lineup. Since he has not played in a game since June. 26, he likely will need a minor league rehabilitation assignment to get back in game-playing shape. The fan favorite suffered a significant strain, and it has required a lengthy stay on the injured list.

When healthy, Astudillo, batting .263 with three homers and 13 RBI in 39 games, gives the Twins flexibility at catcher, first base and third base.

• Class AAA Rochester shortstop Nick Gordon was placed on the injured list because of a lower left leg contusion. Gordon, who is batting .298 for the Red Wings, was the fifth overall pick in 2014.

• The Twins traded righthander Drew Hutchison to the Dodgers for cash considerations. Hutchinson was 3-2 with a 6.11 ERA in nine starts after being signed as a free agent on June 21.