MINNEAPOLIS -- Rookie right-hander Felix Jorge will be recalled from Double-A Chattanooga to start for the Twins against the Orioles on Friday night at Target Field. The Twins optioned right-handed reliever Alan Busenitz to Triple-A Rochester after Thursday's 6-4 win to make room for Jorge.
Jorge, 23, made his Major League debut in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, allowing three runs over five innings to pick up his first win. He served as the designated 26th man on the roster and was sent back to Chattanooga after the game. But with left-hander Hector Santiago on the 10-day disabled list with upper back pain, Jorge returns to make a second start.
"We told him when he left that you never know when your next chance will come," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "And sure enough, it's six days."
Jorge, who was 8-1 with a 3.26 ERA in 14 starts at Double-A, shook off giving up a two-run homer to Eric Hosmer in the first inning and settled down the rest of the way. He is rated the Twins' No. 8 prospect by MLBPipeline.com.
"His stuff was good," Molitor said. "His composure was really good. He gave up a couple [runs] right out of the chute but then put up some zeros. To win on the road against a team that's playing really well, it was a huge lift for us. He stepped up."
Worth noting
• First baseman Joe Mauer was held out of the lineup for a second straight game with back spasms. Molitor said the Twins are still determining if Mauer will need to be placed on the 10-day disabled list heading into the All-Star break.
• Santiago had an MRI exam on his back and shoulder, which revealed no structural damage, Molitor said. He has inflammation and will not throw before the All-Star break.