One of the Twins' top prospects will make his major league debut on Wednesday.
The Twins announced Fernando Romero will start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, and Phil Hughes will move to the bullpen.
Romero, 23, pitched eight innings in four spring training games for the Twins, with eight strikeouts and one walk. The walk issued was followed by a double play, meaning Romero faced the minimum of 24 batters in his eight innings.
The right-hander started three games and pitched in four at Class AAA Rochester this season, striking out 20 in 21 innings with a 2.57 ERA.
"He's been pretty good," said Twins manager Paul Molitor. "He's had some command issues down there as well. We know that he's got high-end stuff. It's fun to watch him pitch. Not lacking in confidence.
"We've seen him the last couple of springs. He's gotten off to a decent start, throwing 93-98 (mph). His fastball is alive, and he's really gained a lot of confidence in his changeup as a swing-and-miss pitch for him. The slider has probably been his most inconsistent pitch, which he needs, especially for a chase pitch to right handed hitters. I don't think it'll too big for this kid, the moment. We're all looking forward to it."
Romero had two injury plagued seasons, including Tommy John surgery, in 2014 and 2015.
He had 120 strikeouts in 125 innings and a 3.53 ERA at Class AA Chattanooga in the Southern League last season.
The Twins will have to demote a player to Rochester before Romero is officially added.
On Hughes' move to the bullpen, Molitor said: "We feel we need to get him into a better place to be able to help us. And running him out there right now doesn't seem like the best interests for him or the team."
