Minnesota Twins: Ervin Santana Will Bolster Rotation

Save the date: The Minnesota Twins are targeting July 5 to be Ervin Santana’s first start in a Twins uniform.

Santana signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Twins this offseason. Santana’s contract is richest free-agent contract in Twins history. Right before the season was about to commence Santana was suspended 80 games for performance-enhancing drugs.

Santana is scheduled to start for the Rochester Red Wings on Saturday as begins to get ready to make his first start in a Twins uniform. The question becomes, whom will he replace in the Twins rotation?

Santana was expected to be the sidekick to Phil Hughes when the season started. Through two months of the season Hughes is no longer viewed as the Twins ace. The Twins best pitcher has changed week to week. Kyle Gibson had a stretch in late April and early May when he was the Twins best starting pitcher. Mike Pelfrey had a stretch in late May and early June in which he was the best starting pitcher.

At the moment it would appear that Santana would be replacing Tommy Milone in the Twins rotation. Milone started the season in the Twins rotation before being sent to Triple-A. Milone recently rejoined the Twins rotation when Ricky Nolasco was placed on the disabled list.

Santana has won 60 games over the past five seasons with an earned run average of 3.93. He may not be an elite level pitcher, but he will improve the Twins rotation. For a team that’s surprisingly in playoff contention, adding a veteran pitcher to the rotation will help this team continue their quest to make the playoffs.

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