Oliveros has a 1.04 ERA with a 17:1 K:BB ratio in 8.2 innings at Triple-A Rochester. Oliveros made a spot start Friday and struck out nine batters in four scoreless innings. It doesn't look like a move to the rotation is permanent. Oliveros has always had a strong strikeout rate due to his velocity (93.8 mph average fastball), but has had control issues. If he can continue his stellar control this season, he could be in the major league bullpen before too long.

Oliveros was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester, removing him from the 40-man roster, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. His removal likely means Blaine Boyer will be added to the 40-man roster and make the final major league bullpen. Oliveros could get picked up by another team given his velocity (93.8 mph average fastball).

Oliveros has been optioned to Triple-A, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. It's expected that he will be among the first arms recalled if the Twins need bullpen reinforcements early in the season.

Oliveros (shoulder) threw a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in Friday's spring training game. Oliveros was shut down after just ten innings in winter ball due shoulder tightness and was eased into action this spring. Oliveros' live arm (93.8 mph average fastball) gives him a shot at a middle relief role this spring.

Oliveros, who was shut down after just ten innings in winter ball due shoulder tightness, has been throwing bullpens and feels rest has solved the issue, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Oliveros flew back to Minnesota for a battery of tests, but no significant issue was found. We'll want to watch his status in spring training, but it looks like the issue may be past him. Oliveros delivered dominant numbers in relief last year while splitting his season between Double-A and Triple-A, finishing with a cumulative 1.67 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 64.2 innings. He struggled in a September callup (7.11 ERA in 6.1 IP), but his live arm (93.8 mph) gives him a shot at a middle relief role this spring.

Oliveros recently flew to Minnesota to have his shoulder examined and a minor issue was revealed, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The report doesn't provide much detail on the injury, so we'll have to monitor Oliveros' health early in spring training. Oliveros isn't certain to win a bullpen role this spring so any injury won't help.

Oliveros will have his contract purchased from Triple-A Rochester prior to the Twins' game Tuesday against the White Sox, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports. After missing most of 2013 following his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Oliveros delivered dominant numbers in relief while splitting his season between Double-A and Triple-A, finishing with a cumulative 1.67 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 64.2 innings. If he can carry over those successes to the majors in September, Oliveros could be in line for a high-leverage role out of the Twins' bullpen in 2015.

Twins re-signed RHP Lester Oliveros to a minor league contract. Oliveros spent most of 2013 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and picked up only a smattering of appearances in the Gulf Coast League. If he's healthy in 2014, Oliveros will have a chance to crack a vulnerable bullpen.

Twins signed RHP Lester Oliveros to a minor league contract. Oliveros was non-tendered, but has since re-signed. The 24-year-old posted a 2.42 ERA while striking out over a batter per inning with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate before undergoing Tommy John surgery in late August. He'll likely be sidelined until 2014.

Twins non-tendered RHP Lester Oliveros. Oliveros 2.42 ERA and 51/15 K/BB ratio over 48 1/3 innings in Triple-A last season, but August Tommy John surgery will sideline him for most or all of 2013. The Twins figure to re-sign him to a minor league contract.