To make room on the roster for Tuesday night’s starter Glen Perkins, the Twins have optioned right-hander Jesse Crain to Triple-A Rochester.

Crain was the losing pitcher in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Cubs in Chicago when he gave up the winning run in the ninth inning, allowing three hits and walking one to break up what had been a 2-2 tie. It was a continuation of troubles that Crain has had this season. He was 2-3 with an 8.15 ERA in 23 appearances (17 2/3 innings) for the Twins.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was frustrated after Sunday’s loss by Crain’s recent struggles.

“You try to find the right situation to put him in ballgames, but when
you get to this point, there’s no right situation,” Gardenhire said after the game.
“He’s got to go out and get outs. Our bullpen’s dying out there, and
he’s the guy that’s got to try to get somebody out, and it didn’t
happen today.”

The move to option Crain allowed Perkins to be activated from the disabled list in time for his start against the Pirates on Tuesday night. Perkins was put on the DL on May 19 with inflammation in his left elbow. He’ll be making his ninth start of the season for the Twins, going 1-3 with a 5.36 ERA in his previous eight outings.