LHP Glen Perkins is playing catch as he continues to rehab a shoulder injury sustained during the first week of the regular season. Perkins has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 13 with a left shoulder strain.

LHP Glen Perkins (left shoulder strain) played catch from 60 feet this week but does not have a specific return date scheduled, Twins manager Paul Molitor said. The three-time All-Star relief pitcher allowed two runs in two innings early this season before being placed on the disabled list.

LHP Glenn Perkins, the Twins' closer, has not resumed baseball activities, assistant general manager Rob Antony said Saturday. He went on the disabled list on April 13 because of a left posterior shoulder strain.

LHP Glen Perkins was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain.

LHP Glen Perkins struck out Mike Moustakas in the eighth inning on Saturday for his 500th career strikeout in his 400th appearance. It was Perkins' first outing of the season after not appearing in the first four games.

Perkins took a loss and a blown save, allowing two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out three in an inning of work as the Twins dropped a 6-4 decision to the Tigers on Friday night.

Still working his way back from neck and back injuries, he was not technically working in a save situation - he entered the game in the seventh inning - but he gave up a home run for the second game in a row. Perkins is not expected to return to the closer's role this year, but he does need to show he can take the reins again next season.

Perkins gave up two runs, on a two-run home run, in the ninth inning in Wenesday's win over Cleveland. He was working in an on-save situation and will remain in a setup role, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "It has been a pretty good formula for us for now," manager Paul Molitor said of Kevin Jepsen closing. "Who's to say what could happen over the next 12 games?"

Perkins has given up four earned runs in 4.1 innings in September, so it's not clear he's back to full speed with his recent health issues. He's had several setbacks since receiving two cortisone shots for a bulging disc in his neck on Aug. 19, missing time due to a sore back and neck.

Perkins (back) struck out the only batter he faced in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader loss to the Angels.

Perkins had not pitched since Sept. 1 as he'd dealt with back spasms. He figures to serve in more of a setup role upon his return, yielding to Kevin Jepsen as the closer, until he shows he's healthy and back to full speed. His health remains a risk, however, considering he's had several setback since receiving two cortisone shots for a bulging disc in his neck on Aug. 19.

Perkins (back) will be available Friday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Perkins has not pitched since Sept. 1, as he's dealt with back spasms, but it appears the issue is now behind him. He figures to serve in more of a setup role upon his return, yielding to Kevin Jepsen as the closer.

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins, who has not pitched since Sept. 1 because of a back injury, will return Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins, who has not pitched since Sept. 1 because of a back injury, will return Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Perkins likely will pitch in a setup role while Kevin Jepsen remains the team's closer.

Perkins (back) threw a 36-pitch bullpen session without issue Wednesday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins had said before he could return Friday if things went well Wednesday, but pitching coach Neil Allen didn't give out a timetable for his return. When Perkins returns he'll be in a setup role initially with Kevin Jepsen remaining in the closer role.

Perkins (back) threw a 31-pitch bullpen session Monday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He'll throw another bullpen session Wednesday with a goal of returning Friday.

He'll throw long toss on Tuesday and Thursday. When he returns he'll be used in a setup role initially with Kevin Jepsen remaining in the closer role. While Perkins' progress is encouraging, it's still not certain how much he'll be able to pitch this month since he's had several setback since receiving two cortisone shots for a bulging disc in his neck on Aug. 19.

Perkins (back) is unlikely to immediately reclaim the closer's duties when he gets healthy, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Kevin Jepsen has been rock solid in Perkins' absence, and manager Paul Molitor wants to make sure Perkins is healthy and effective when he returns, so Perkins will likely be used in a setup role for an outing or two when he is ready to resume pitching. Just when that will be remains to be seen, but the Twins are hoping that Perkins will be ready to get back on the mound sometime next week.

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins is unlikely to reclaim the closer role when he returns from a back injury, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins is unlikely to reclaim the closer role when he returns from a back injury, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Perkins has not pitched since Sept. 1, and will need multiple outings to prove he is healthy before he supplants Kevin Jepsen, who has earned four saves and a win while allowing just one run in his last six outings.

Perkins (back) still hasn't resumed baseball activity back in the Twin Cities and is unlikely to join the club until at least Sept. 14, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "He's doing fairly mundane stretching and bending and things like that," manager Paul Molitor said. "Moving slowly in terms of recovery. It's looking less and less likely we'll see him on this trip."

Perkins has been out with back spasms, but they're likely related to the bulging disc in his neck that required two cortisone shots Aug. 19. It's possible Perkins may not pitch again this season or not return until late September.

Perkins (back spasms) won't go on the Twins' upcoming road trip, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Perkins was unable to get out of bed due to the back spasms Wednesday, despite feeling fine after getting a save Tuesday. He will stay in Minneapolis, and won't be available until Sept. 14, at the earliest, when the team returns for a 10-game homestand. Kevin Jepsen should serve as the Twins' closer for the foreseeable future.

Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins will not accompany the team on its upcoming road trip due to a back injury, according to MLB.com.

Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins will not accompany the team on its upcoming road trip due to a back injury, according to MLB.com. Perkins is experiencing back spasms and was unable to get out of bed Wednesday following Tuesday's save. The Twins will be on the road until Sept. 14, and Kevin Jepsen is expected to garner the saves until then.

Perkins had a precautionary MRI on his sore back and he may not travel with the team for an upcoming three-game road trip that begins Friday, ESPN 1500 am Twin Cities reports.

He could miss at least the next four games with the setback to his recent sore back, which had him unavailable Wednesday. Perkins missed several days last week with a sore back, but returned to the closer role by earning a save in Tuesday's game. It's a worrisome sign as Perkins may be breaking down the final month after he had a cortisone shot for a bulging disc in his neck on Aug. 19. Kevin Jepsen will serve as closer while Perkins is out.

Perkins was not available Wednesday due to a stiff back, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Kevin Jepsen got the save in Perkins' absence.

Perkins missed several days last week with a sore back, but returned to the closer role by earning a save in Tuesday's game. It's a worrisome sign as Perkins may be breaking down the final month after he had a cortisone shot for a bulging disc in his neck on Aug. 19.

Perkins (back) pitched a perfect seventh inning Friday and recorded a pair of strikeouts, throwing 12 total pitches.

He said this was the best his arm has felt in about two months and believes he is ready to close again. It seems likely that the Twins will ease him back into the ninth inning role sooner than later, given his history with the club. Kevin Jepsen recorded his ninth save of the season Friday.