KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Playing center field for Triple-A Rochester this week, Aaron Hicks had a great vantage point for Ervin Santana's final tuneup.
"He looked goooooood," Hicks said of those eight scoreless innings Santana tossed Tuesday. "I had a really good view. I was enjoying it."
Expected to arrive in town Friday after throwing his final bullpen session for the Red Wings a day earlier, Santana must be activated before Saturday's game even though he's not due to start until Sunday. That's because his 80-game steroid suspension officially ended Friday.
"We can't wait to get Ervin back," Twins utility man Eduardo Nunez said.