For the third straight year, the Twins' Opening Day center fielder has failed to make it through the season on the big-league roster.
While Aaron Hicks was shipped back to the minors the past two years, Jordan Schafer, this year's flavor, was released off the disabled list on Thursday.
Out since May 10 with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, Schafer had rehabbed to the point where he was healthy enough to go on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester. However, the Twins felt they had younger, better options than the light-hitting 28-year-old.
"I think the biggest thing is there has been an influx of young outfielders here that have done in some cases better than others," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.