Avila heads to injured list, Astudillo and Wade recalled

The Minnesota Twins made a couple of roster moves before Saturday’s game against Detroit.

Catcher Alex Avila, who had to leave Saturday’s second game of a double header with back tightness was placed on injured reserve, while reliever Sean Poppen was optioned to Minnesota’s alternate training site.

Poppen pitched in Saturday’s second game and allowed two runs on three hits in 2/3 of a inning. He has appeared in 7 1/3 innings for the Twins this season, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks with nine strikeouts.

Joining the Twins’ roster is utility man Willians Astudillo, who was Minnesota’s 29th man for Saturday’s doubleheader, and outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr.

Astudillo made his 2020 debut in Game 2, pinch hitting in the seventh inning and scoring the winning run in the top of the eighth. He played in 58 games for the Twins last season, hitting .268 with four home runs.

Wade is 3-for-15 with adouble and one RBI in two stints with the Twins in 2020.

In addition, infielder Ildemaro Vargas, who was designated for release or assignment on Wednesday, was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.

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