BALTIMORE — After right-hander Ervin Santana was limited to two innings and 39 pitches because of a rain delay in his Opening Day start against the Orioles on Monday, the Twins decided to shuffle their rotation so he’ll start again on Friday against the Royals in Kansas City.
Santana was originally scheduled to make his next start on Sunday, but now lefty Tommy Milone and right-hander Ricky Nolasco will see their starts pushed back a day. Milone will start on Saturday, while Nolasco will take the mound Sunday. Right-hander Kyle Gibson is still slated to start the home opener against the White Sox on Monday, and he will be followed in the rotation by right-hander Phil Hughes and Santana.
Twins manager Paul Molitor said he toyed with the idea to move up Santana’s start, and after talking with pitching coach Neil Allen and the pitchers affected by the change, he made the decision before Wednesday’s game against the Orioles.
