MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins have optioned starting pitcher Liam Hendriks to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Scott Diamond.
Diamond will be on the mound Saturday against the New York Mets at chilly Target Field. The Mets routed the Twins 16-5 on Friday night as snow fell.
It will be the left-hander's first start since having bone chips removed from his pitching elbow in December.
Hendriks has a 2.95 ERA in 25 career starts at Triple-A, but is only 1-11 with a 5.63 ERA in the majors. He's allowed five earned runs in two starts this season.
The Twins considered sending Pedro Hernandez to the disabled list. But the lefty's sore calf was better on Saturday and he may pitch in the next few days.
