Stauffer (strained intercostal) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Stauffer should rejoin the Twins at some point in mid-to-late May, but his middle/long-relief role doesn't figure to change. He struggled before the injury, turning in an 8.38 ERA, 2.28 WHIP and 2:6 K:BB ratio over 9.2 innings.

Stauffer (strained intercostal) has started playing catch, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports. He won't be back until late-May at the earliest and considering how bad he was before the injury, there are not many formats where he should be monitored closely.

Stauffer was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right intercostal strain Friday, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports. It's not much of a loss for the Twins, as Stauffer owns an 8.38 ERA over 9.2 innings, working mostly in lower-leverage situations. Ryan Pressly was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to replace Stauffer in the bullpen.

Stauffer gave up two home runs and three runs while retiring two batters in Tuesday's loss to Detroit. He's given up nine earned runs and 16 hits in 9.7 innings this season. Stauffer's average fastball is down over two mph from last year (88.4 mph vs. 90.6 mph) which is likely the cause for his struggles. It would seem likely the Twins will send him to the minors or release him at some point despite his one-year, $1.6 million contract.

Stauffer gave up two more runs (one earned) in Monday's loss to the Royals, allowing two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. Stauffer lost out on the fifth starter's battle in spring training and had velocity issues then. So far his velocity is down in the regular season too, with an average fastball 2.2 mph slower than last year.

Stauffer will move to the bullpen after losing out of the fifth starter role, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Stauffer has struggled this spring with a 15.00 ERA and a fastball clocked several mph below his usual average. Stauffer says he's healthy and he's been slow to ramp up in previous spring trainings. He'll likely work in a swingman role in the bullpen and could get some spot starts.

Stauffer has likely lost out on the fifth starter role with a slow start to his spring as the Twins will talk to him about altering his spring outings to prepare for a relief role, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He gave up four runs in 2.1 innings Sunday and has allowed 15 hits and ten earned runs in six innings this spring. The Twins say Stauffer isn't hurt despite his struggles and his low velocity (at 88 mph, his fastball is a few mph lower than his regular season average) may be due to a pattern where it takes him awhile to ramp up during the spring. He was a long shot for the rotation and looks set for a swingman role in the bullpen.

Stauffer gave up six runs (five earned) with five hits, two walks and no strikeouts in one inning in his spring training debut Thursday. The poor debut promoted manager Paul Molitor to verify that Stauffer is healthy, and Stauffer said he is fine, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Stauffer is competing with Alex Meyer, Tommy Milone, Mike Pelfrey and Trevor May for the fifth starter role this spring. He'll more likely end up in the bullpen as a swingman. While it's just one outing, Stauffer may not have many appearances to show he should be part of the rotation.

Stauffer will compete with Alex Meyer, Tommy Milone, Mike Pelfrey and Trevor May for the fifth starter role this spring. "If he can't handle it, then he goes to the bullpen," GM Terry Ryan told the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. It seems most likely that Stauffer will be a swing man/long reliever in the bullpen this season, but the competition for the fifth starter job appears wide open at the start of spring training.

Stauffer signed a one-year, $2.2 million deal with the Twins on Tuesday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Stauffer posted a 6-2 record primarily as a reliever for the Padres in 2014, posting a 3.50 ERA over 64.1 innings. He'll likely compete for a back-end rotation spot in 2015, but may end up in long relief.