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Twins set to summon Fernando Romero to replace Phil Hughes in rotation

MINNEAPOLIS — Looking for a much-needed jolt to their flagging rotation, the Twins are exiling veteran Phil Hughes to their bullpen and calling up hard-throwing right-hander Fernando Romero to make his major league debut on Wednesday, May 2, against the Toronto Blue Jays.

“With Phil’s couple of starts, we feel we need to get him in a better place to be able to help us,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “Throwing him out there right now doesn’t seem like the best interest for him or for the team.”

Hughes, coming off a second procedure last July to repair thoracic outlet syndrome, pitched to a 7.71 earned run average in two big-league starts, failing to complete four innings either time. Hughes, 31, is still under contract through 2019 at $13.2 million per season.

Romero, 23, has a fastball that touches 98 mph and a 2.57 earned run average in four outings (three starts) for Triple-A Rochester. Rated the Twins’ No. 3 pitching prospect by Baseball America, the Dominican Republic native has struck out 20 and walked 10 in 21 innings this season.

He spent all of last year at Double-A Chattanooga, struggling in August and landing on the disabled list with a shoulder impingement. Romero tossed eight hitless innings with eight strikeouts this spring in his second look at big-league camp.

“We know he’s got high-end stuff,” Molitor said. “It’s fun to watch him pitch. He’s not lacking in confidence. His fastball is alive, and he’s really gained a lot of confidence in his changeup. It’s a swing-and-miss pitch for him.”

Romero’s slider, Molitor said, has been inconsistent, which could be an issue against right-handed hitters. Romero’s debut is the most anticipated for a Twins starting pitcher since Jose Berrios debuted against the Cleveland Indians in April 2016.

“I don’t think it will be too big for this kid, the moment and all those type of things,” Molitor said. “We’ll see how he responds but I think we’re all looking forward to it.”

Romero lasted just five innings on 83 pitches in his last start for the Red Wings on April 27. He allowed three runs on six hits (one home run) and three walks while fanning three.

“You have to be careful (not to think) just because a guy’s got electric stuff he’s going to come out there and start dealing,” Molitor said. “There’s more to pitching successfully up here than that.”

Slow going

Twins third baseman Miguel Sano (left hamstring) missed a third straight start Monday and could land on the 10-day disabled list if he’s not able to make it back onto the field soon.

“He’s not making a lot of progress,” Molitor said. “I was hoping by Day 3 we’d be seeing a little bit better.”

Sano, hitting just .213 with 36 strikeouts and five home runs in 80 at-bats, tested his leg with some running on Monday afternoon but that “didn’t go particularly well,” Molitor said.

DL placements can only be done retroactively three days, but there was still hope Sano would at least be available to pinch hit on Monday.

“It’s tough when you’ve got a limited bench,” Molitor said. “I don’t know how much longer we could wait.”

Curtiss returns

Reliever John Curtiss was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Monday to take the place of Tyler Duffey, who was optioned back to the Red Wings following a three-inning relief stint.

Curtiss, 25, posted a nine-inning strikeout rate of 16.40 in five outings for Rochester this season. He pitched to a 2.89 earned run average while walking just two batters in 9â…” innings.

As a rookie in 2017, Curtiss struggled to an 8.31 ERA in nine big-league outings. The former sixth-round pick out of the University of Texas did have 10 strikeouts against just two walks, but the hard-throwing right-hander also allowed two home runs.

Once Curtiss appears in a game, he will become the 19th different pitcher the Twins have used already this season. That total doesn’t include right-hander Aaron Slegers, who was recalled for one game at Yankee Stadium last week but did not appear before being sent back down.

Briefly

Veteran swingman David Hale cleared waivers and elected free agency rather than accept an outright to Triple-A Rochester. Claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees last week, he made one appearance for the Twins, who had hoped he would accept a minor-league assignment.

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