Ervin Santana will start for the the Rochester Red Wings on Saturday, the first of three starts he’ll make at Triple-A before returning from his 80-game suspension.
After signing the richest free-agent contract in Twins history, Santana was suspended for use of performance-enhancing drugs. On Thursday, Santana again apologized and said he makes mistakes just like everybody else, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.
Santana maintained his stance that he unknowingly ingested a steroid – Stanozolol – and that “it happens,” the Pioneer Press reports.
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According to 1500 ESPN, Santana is expected to return to the Twins on July 5 against the Kansas City Royals. Whether he starts or not is the question.
The Pioneer Press observes that Ricky Nolasco is expected to return from a foot injury around the same time Santana is eligible to return. General Manager Terry Ryan called it a “good problem” to have.
Santana was expected to be Minnesota’s No. 2 starter behind Phil Hughes.
