Perkins is still in the process of strengthening his shoulder, LaVelle Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

No timetable has been offered up for Perkins' return, and it's unclear as to when he may be ready to resume throwing. Kevin Jepsen remains the Twins' current option to close out games, although he has not recorded a save since April 16.

Manager Paul Molitor said Friday that there are no indications that Perkins (shoulder) is getting close to throwing, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

This contradicts Perkins' last statement that he believed he'd begin throwing this week. He is without a timetable to return, and his status will be updated when that prognosis changes. It has been a rocky run for Kevin Jepsen as the Twins' closer, but all indications are that Molitor is comfortable with him in the ninth inning. Trevor May would be next in line for saves if Jepsen's struggles continue.

Perkins (shoulder) said he believes he'll be able to begin throwing by the end of the week, Derek Wetmore of 1500 ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Perkins continues to nurse a strained throwing shoulder, but the Twins received positive news last week when it was decided Perkins would not require surgery. His recovery will be somewhat lengthy, however, and he remains without any sort of clear return timeline. Barring a setback over the next handful of days, Perkins expects to begin playing catch by the weekend.

Perkins (shoulder) has not progressed to the point where he can begin a throwing program, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Perkins was diagnosed with a shoulder strain and also fraying of the labrum. His injury won't require surgery, but will instead need rest and rehab. There's no clear timetable for his return, but it sounds like he could be out months. Kevin Jepsen has taken over as the closer with Perkins out.

After a second opinion, Perkins will avoid surgery on his strained shoulder, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Instead, general manager Terry Ryan stated Perkins will follow a regimen that includes rest and rehab.

EDGE Analysis

Perkins' initial diagnosis also included fraying of the left-hander's labrum, which is the most worrisome part of his current quandary. While he'll require more than the 15-day minimum to be healthy enough to return to the 25-man roster, surgery has been ruled out at this time. Closer duties for the Twins can be expected to be handled by a combination of Kevin Jepsen and Trevor May, at least at the outset of Perkins' absence.

Perkins will need longer than the minimum 15 days on the DL for his shoulder strain, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported. Tests taken when he went on the DL also revealed some fraying of the labrum.

EDGE Analysis

"Whatever the 15th day is, I ain't gonna be back then," Perkins said. "I know that. Hopefully it is on the shorter end." Given Perkins' durability issues the last two seasons, this is ominous, though Perkins also had tests done on his troublesome neck injury that ended last season, and his neck tested out fine.

Perkins is headed to the 15-day DL with a left shoulder strain, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 0-6 Twins have not had to protect many leads this season, so it's hard to say who will be first in line, but Kevin Jepsen is probably the best bet to step into the closer role initially. Trevor May and Casey Fien have also been used in the later innings. Perkins' injury seems somewhat ominous, and he should be considered out indefinitely. Lefty Taylor Rogers will be recalled to take Perkins' spot on the active roster, and should work in low-leverage spots.

Perkins was handed a two-run lead in the ninth inning, but blew the save chance by giving up two runs on three hits in Sunday's loss to the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Perkins gave up a hit and a sacrifice fly on batters who began 0-2, so he had chances to put away the game. Perkins began last season by converting 28 consecutive save chances.

Despite a 2.35 ERA this spring, Perkins has had lower velocity this spring. He threw 91 to 93 mph while throwing a scoreless inning in Wednesday's spring training game, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He averaged 93.7 mph on fastballs last season. "I will be right where I need to be once the season starts and as we get going," he said.

EDGE Analysis

Perkins' lower velocity could just be a case of a veteran tinkering with other pitches or ramping up slowly, but it's not a reassuring sign after he's broken down in the second half the past two seasons. Perkins is set in the closer role with Kevin Jepsen as his primary setup man.

Perkins threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Sunday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. He's thrown two scoreless innings with two strikeouts this spring.

EDGE Analysis

Perkins looks healthy after a bulging disc in his neck caused him to struggle in the final two months of last season. Perkins enters the season as Minnesota's closer and is secure in the role, but his durability remains a worry as he's broken down in the second half the past two seasons.