Twins activate Scott Baker, option Luke Hughes to Triple-A

MINNEAPOLIS -- With right-hander Scott Baker coming off the disabled list to make his first post-All-Star break start on Saturday, the Minnesota Twins threw a bit of a roster curveball.

To make room for Baker, the team optioned infielder Luke Hughes to Triple-A Rochester, electing to keep 13 pitchers on the roster.

"We have to keep 13 pitchers again," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Just kind of forced into it by all these guys throwing all these pitches, so we'll just have to go that way and see what happens."

Hughes watched his playing time drop off significantly over the last couple weeks, but he was the team's every-day first baseman for a long period after Justin Morneau landed on the disabled list earlier in the season.

Hughes owns a .237/.293/.322 batting line on the season with three home runs and 15 RBIs.

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
Email Phil | @PMac21 | Reusse and Mackey