Twins looking for some relief for their right-handed relief

When the Twins sent longtime infielder Jorge Polanco to Seattle for four players in January, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said it was a deal made for the future. Two of the players were prospects, outfielder Gabriel Garcia and pitcher Darren Bowen, and two were veterans the Twins were hoping would help Minnesota defend its American League Central title this season. Garcia, 20, and Bowen, 23, are playing productive innings with high-A Cedar Rapids right now, but the veterans — right-handers Justin Topa and Anthony DeSclafani — have yet to pitch an inning for the Twins, who started Wednesday’s game against the Mariners at Target Field two games behind first-place Cleveland in the Central.

ADVERTISEMENT DeSclafani, a starter, had surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm on March 30, ending his season before it started. Topa, the guy the Twins really hoped would find a permanent spot in the bullpen, doesn’t appear as close to returning from tendinitis in his left knee as he did last week. Topa, who made a pair of two-inning appearances with Class AAA St.



Paul last weekend, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday at Target Field. Asked if it went well, the right-hander said, “Not really.” The issue is pain in his left, planting knee.

“I’m still feeling some stuff, feeling it out. Trying to lock in and see what we can get some feedback on,” Topa said. “It was progressing .

.. then (I) felt it again on this last one.

We’re just taking i.