Berríos sentimental, but excited to face Twins

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays acquired José Berríos at the Trade Deadline because they knew he wouldn't hesitate to stare down any opposing lineups in the second half and the postseason.

Well, any lineup but one -- but he'll have to deal with that on Sunday, when he will take the mound against the only organization he knew before this year’s Trade Deadline.

"I don't want to [face them]. I don't want to," Berríos immediately said. "They used to be my guys, but now, they're in a different dugout and team."

It was clear as he spoke to Minnesota media before Friday's series opener between the Blue Jays and Twins -- his first reunion with his old team since the trade -- that Berríos still hadn't fully let go of his old organization.

Even five weeks removed from the major deal that sent Berríos north of the border in exchange for top prospects Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson, the 27-year-old Berríos said he still checks how the Twins are doing every day. He knew that they were playing better in August and expressed how "happy and proud" he was that Jorge Polanco hit 30 homers this season.

That's more than understandable, considering the Twins selected Berríos out of high school in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft and the right-hander moved up the ranks to the head of Minnesota's rotation, making two Opening Day starts as he believed in his heart that he'd be a Twin for life -- until the Trade Deadline.

As any player would be, he's excited to be in the midst of a playoff chase with an exciting, bombastic and energetic young team, but even when asked about his current playoff chase -- he has a 3.31 ERA in nine starts since the trade -- he looked over his left shoulder at the visitors' dugout and his conversation drifted back to the Twins.

"Obviously, the postseason, that's what every player wants," Berríos said. "But I'd been having fun with the [Minnesota] group. Like I said, I had people that I met in 2012 and knew through this year. But here, they have a lot of fun, too. So they made it easier for me to get here and try to get used to it because of the way they like to have fun out there. I've enjoyed it so far."

Berríos also emphasized that he's been thrilled with the reception from his new team and fans, and noted that his new situation has been "getting easier" due to the fun of the Toronto clubhouse. But he's the type to take these transitions slowly, and it doesn't help that he's apart from his children, who returned to Puerto Rico following the trade. It took him a month, he said, to get used to his new life.

When asked again about his Sunday start, he acknowledged that he'll likely enjoy it all the same -- especially if he gets to face Willians Astudillo.

And when asked about the possibility of facing Martin in a start one day, Berríos' thoughts drifted back to Minnesota -- one more time.

"Or we can play together," Berríos said. "You don't know."

Simmons (restricted list) to miss Blue Jays series
Andrelton Simmons did not make the trip to Toronto with the Twins and was placed on the restricted list ahead of the series due to restrictions involved with his application for U.S. permanent residency. The Twins expect to activate Simmons when they cross the border back into the United States for their two-game series against the Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jorge Polanco started at shortstop in Simmons' place on Friday, with Nick Gordon expected to earn at least one of the other two starts during the series. The Twins also brought 32-year-old Minor League veteran Drew Maggi on their taxi squad for additional infield depth, if needed.

Ryan not expected to need IL stint
In good news for the already-shorthanded Minnesota rotation, rookie right-hander Joe Ryan isn't expected to need a stint on the injured list after he exited the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against Cleveland in the sixth inning due to taking a comebacker off his right wrist.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said that Ryan could be back on the mound to start Wednesday against the Cubs, though such plans have not yet been finalized.

Things looked bad in the moment when Ryan took the liner off his wrist and wordlessly walked off the mound and into the clubhouse without even waiting for Baldelli or head athletic trainer Michael Salazar, but Ryan said following the start that he felt more shock and stiffness than pain. Baldelli said that Ryan was able to throw with only the "most mild of soreness" that isn't cause for concern.

The 25-year-old, who was acquired as the centerpiece of the return in the July 22 deal that sent Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay, still became the ninth player in AL/NL history since at least 1901 to pitch at least five innings and allow no more than three hits in each of his first three career outings.