Santana (finger) will make another start for Triple-A Rochester on Friday. He's in line to throw six innings or around 90 pitches, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santana recently tossed 86 pitches in 5.2 innings of work with Rochester on Sunday, which marked his fourth rehab appearance since June 30. Berardino confirmed that the Twins have yet to make a decision on whether Santana will start another game with the Triple-A club following this outing, as his rehab runs through July 29. If all goes well Friday night, there's a chance Santana's next appearance will come in the big leagues.

Santana (finger) covered 5.2 innings Sunday in his rehab start for Triple-A Rochester, surrendering three runs on four hits and a walk and striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander tossed 86 pitches, his highest total in any of his six minor-league rehab starts since late May. Santana's activation from the 60-day disabled list has been delayed due to the downturn in velocity he has displayed in those outings, but there's been no indication he's still dealing with a physical issue. With Santana now capable of handling a starter's workload, he seems likely to rejoin the Twins out of the All-Star break, perhaps stepping into the rotation spot vacated by Fernando Romero, who was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday. That would put Santana in line to make his season debut for the Twins on July 23 or 24 in Toronto.

Santana will make his next rehab start for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He gave up two runs over five innings with six strikeouts Tuesday for Double-A Chattanooga.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like Santana could join the Twins rotation shortly after the All-Star break if he has a good start or two at Triple-A. Santana has struggled to pitch over 90 mph during his rehab outings, but the Twins may brush aside worries over his velocity if he has a few strong outings in the minors.

Santana (finger) has had his rehab assignment transferred to Double-A Chattanooga, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santana built up to four innings in his second and final rehab start for High-A Fort Myers, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two. There have been concerns about velocity -- he couldn't even reach 90 mph with his fastball in his first start back -- and it's possible the Twins will exhaust most of his 30-day rehab window before returning him to the majors, even with a pressing need in the rotation.

Santana (finger) will make the second start of his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday at High-A Fort Myers, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santana made two rehab appearances in late May before being pulled off the assignment after experiencing renewed soreness in the surgically repaired finger on his right hand. He was cleared to restart the assignment last week and gave up one run over three innings in his first start for Fort Myers, but still showcased diminished velocity in the outing. On a more encouraging note, Santana reported no physical issues in his return to the mound, but he'll likely need to add a tick or two to his fastball and build up his pitch count in his subsequent starts in the minors before the Twins are comfortable adding him back to the big-league rotation. He's slated to throw around four innings or 60 pitches in Thursday's start.

Santana (finger) resumed his rehab assignment Saturday with High-A Fort Myers, tossing three innings of one-run ball. He gave up two hits and no walks and struck out two while tossing 36 pitches (29 strikes).

EDGE Analysis

Though his surface results were solid enough, Santana's fastball failed to touch 90 miles per hour during the outing, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The downturn in velocity -- Santana's four-seamer averaged 93.4 mph in 2017 -- has been the major hangup in Santana's rehab for weeks, and it's beginning to look like the 35-year-old may simply have to survive with diminished stuff. The right-hander is expected to make at least one more start of around four innings for Fort Myers this week before the Twins determine the next step in his rehab. Santana has been sidelined since Feb. 6 after requiring surgery to address discomfort in his right middle finger.

Santana (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Fort Myers on Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santana was apparently lacking velocity on his fastball as recently as Friday, but he must have gotten it back in his latest session Monday, as the Twins would not have deemed him ready for a rehab assignment otherwise. The Twins will have 30 days to activate Santana once he throws his first rehab outing, so he is on track to make his first 2018 start for the team at some point in July.

Santana (finger) threw about 35 pitches to live hitters Friday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santana is working his way back to game readiness after being pulled from his rehab assignment towards the end of May, and is now able to incorporate all of his pitches. The veteran right-hander appears to be nearing a minor-league rehab assignment, but will likely need to up his pitch count significantly before making a full return.

Santana (finger) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santana was able to incorporate all of his pitches for the first time since he was pulled from his rehab assignment near the end of May. He's scheduled to face live hitters Friday, and if all goes well the veteran right-hander could be cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter. He remains without a concrete timetable for his return.

Santana (finger) played catch Thursday and is expected to take the mound for a bullpen session next Thursday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

This marked the first time that Santana participated in any sort of throwing activity since suffering a setback during his rehab assignment with Low-A Fort Myers in late May. He will take some time off to see how his finger feels in the coming days before ramping up his efforts later on next week. If all goes well during that session, a rehab assignment will likely come into view.