Manager Paul Molitor said Tuesday that he plans on using Brandon Kintzler and Fernando Abad late in games moving forward with May struggling in a setup role, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The writing was on the wall for May's removal from the setup job -- Molitor brought him in in the third inning Monday after Ricky Nolasco was chased early. May has given up at least one run in five straight appearances (10 runs total in 3.1 innings), with his ERA ballooning from 1.89 to 5.64 within the span of two weeks. Glen Perkins (shoulder) recently suffered a setback, and May could return to the back-end mix eventually, but the process of regaining the skipper's trust will take time.

May allowed a run on two hits (one home run) in a third of an inning in Friday's loss to Toronto. He's given up eight runs in his last two innings over four appearances.

EDGE Analysis

May began the season strong with a 1.89 ERA and 27:8 K:BB ratio in 19 innings. He looked set to possibly take over the closer role with Kevin Jepsen struggling. However, May's implosion the past week may not make him the clear choice if Jepsen continues to struggle as the team's closer with Glen Perkins out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

May gave up two runs and three hits in one inning in Sunday's extra inning loss to the Nationals, but earned his first hold of the season. His ERA rose to 3.60.

EDGE Analysis

Kevin Jepsen blew his second save in four chances in the ninth inning, but May has struggled a bit in April as his 3.60 ERA doesn't include two outings with key poor outings that cost the Twins games with a wild pitch and an error. He does have a 16:6 K:BB ratio in ten innings, so his strikeout totals could move him into the closer role eventually if Jepsen struggles.

May could be in the mix for saves while Glen Perkins (shoulder) is on the disabled list.

EDGE Analysis

Kevin Jepsen, who has experience as a closer, will likely get the first crack at landing the closing role for the Twins while Perkins is on the shelf, but May also figures to move into a potentially relevant fantasy role. Look for May to be the Twins' eighth inning man that could get some save opportunities in instances where Jepsen has pitched multiple days in a row.

May will begin the year working out of the Twins' bullpen, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

May came into spring as a candidate to win one of the open spots in the Twins' rotation, but a meltdown in his last outing took him out of the running. He'll work out of the bullpen for at least the beginning of the year, but Kevin Jepsen will likely get the first crack at being the setup man in front of closer Glen Perkins. Still, May's skill set will make him a reliever to keep an eye on this spring if Jepsen or Perkins struggle.

May, who is competing for a spot in the Twins' rotation, may be out of the running after he allowed four runs in 2.2 innings Saturday, the Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

May was scheduled to go four innings, but was pulled early after 55 pitches and had difficulty locating his fast ball. Manager Paul Molitor said they'll get a look at two other pitchers competing for the same rotation spot -- Ricky Nolasco and Tyler Duffey -- over the next two days and then reevaluate Tuesday on how they want to proceed.

May enters spring training as a candidate for the fifth starter role but could also return to a relief role, manager Paul Molitor told MLB.com. May threw two scoreless innings with a strikeout in his spring debut Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

May thrived in relief by posting a 3.15 ERA and 39:8 K:BB ratio in 34.1 innings last season but his strong 8.6 K/9 rate and good control (2.0 BB/9) could make him one of the team's top starters. Still, the team appears to prefer him in relief. And his appearance as a reliever rather than starter in the first spring game could indicate he's a long shot for the rotation.

May (back) was available to pitch, but did not appear in Wednesday's doubleheader, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

May has struggled with a sore back the past month and it looks like he could appear in a game or two the rest of the season. However, he'll likely be shut down if the Twins are eliminated from the Wild Card race.

May (back) hopes to return before the season ends, but has yet to play catch, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

May would pitch out of the Twins' bullpen when healthy, but that window to return continues to close. The fact that he still can't play catch decreases his chances further, but he hasn't been ruled out for the season yet.

May (back) was unavailable in Monday's game, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

EDGE Analysis

May pitched an inning Sunday for the first time in a week, but he simply can't shake this back issue, though it's to his credit that he keeps coming back to the mound instead of just shutting things down while the Twins have been taking aim at a playoff spot in the season's final weeks.