Deduno will start Saturday against the Mets, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brought in on a waiver claim from Minnesota at the end of August, Deduno has given up three earned runs on three hits, with five strikeouts against four walks, in four appearances (4.2 innings) with the Astros. He made eight starts for the Twins early in the year, going 2-4 with a 6.52 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 38.2 innings. The Mets don't present an daunting obstacle, but Deduno will still make for a very high-risk option.

The Astros claimed Deduno off waivers from the Twins on Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Control issues have plagued Deduno's professional career, but he has averaged more than a strikeout per inning in his nine minor league seasons (9.6 K/9) and the Astros really aren't risking much bringing him aboard. In 30 appearances (eight starts) with Minnesota this season, Deduno has posted a 4.60 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, but Houston will likely let him eat some low-leverage innings out of the bullpen to see if he can be a legitimate option for 2015.

Samuel Deduno is likely to return to the Twins' starting rotation next week.

He'd be filling in for Yohan Pino, who was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday afternoon. Deduno, who's been in the bullpen for the past several days, owns a 4.99 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 61 1/3 innings this season. He remains a poor fantasy option.

Samuel Deduno has been moved to the bullpen.

Deduno was lit up for seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings Saturday by the Tigers, pushing his ERA to 5.34. He will pitch in a long relief role now for Minnesota with Yohan Pino taking over the vacant rotation spot.

Samuel Deduno was hammered for seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings Saturday in a loss to the Tigers.

Deduno also got rocked Sunday by the Astros and is now 2-5 on the season with a brutal 5.34 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. The Twins might have to try someone else soon.

Samuel Deduno allowed five runs over three innings of work in a loss to the Astros on Sunday.

Deduno had to deal with baserunners early and often, as he gave up three hits while walking four on the day. He'd been serviceable in his six starts prior to Sunday, but the walks continue to be an issue -- he's now issued 26 free passes in 54 2/3 innings. He's nothing more than an AL-only option, and he may not even be that Saturday at the Tigers.

Samuel Deduno allowed two runs on six hits over five innings to pick up his second win of the season against the Brewers on Tuesday.

Deduno worked into and out of trouble all evening, as at least one runner reached base in each of his five innings. The right-hander walked four to go along with his six hits allowed. Through 13 appearances including six starts, Deduno has a 3.83 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. He makes for a decent AL-only add for pitching-needy teams. He'll draw the Astros on Sunday.

Samuel Deduno gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings Thursday in a no-decision against the Rangers.

Deduno almost pulled a Houdini Act in the second, loading the bases with no outs and then getting a popup and a strikeout before Shin-Soo Choo snuck a ball down the left-field line for a bases-clearing double. Apart from that, Deduno was pretty effective. His rotation spot should still be secure for the moment.

Samuel Deduno lost despite allowing just two runs in 5 2/3 innings versus the Giants on Saturday.

Deduno is getting better by the start, illustrating that he really should have been in Minnesota's rotation all along. He was always a better bet than Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia anyway. Next up for him is a home start against the Rangers. He should only be used in AL-only leagues right now.

Samuel Deduno held the Tigers to three runs over six innings in Sunday's 4-3 victory.

He struck out five while allowing six hits and walking one. Deduno was in line for the loss after exiting with his team trailing 3-0, but the Twins' offense rallied with four late-inning runs. The righty has given up six earned runs over 11 frames since entering the rotation. He'll get the Mariners next weekend.

Samuel Deduno fell to 0-2 with Tuesday's start against the Indians in which he allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings of work.

Deduno recently moved into the Twins' rotation, filling in for the injured Mike Pelfrey. Tuesday's start wasn't a particularly strong outing, but it wasn't disastrous either, which should give him at least one or two more starts to prove himself. The right-ahnder allowed six hits, walked two, and struck out two in the effort. If the Twins send him back out on schedule, Deduno will face the Tigers on the road.

Samuel Deduno will start on Tuesday in Cleveland.

He's taking the rotation spot of the injured Mike Pelfrey (groin). Pelfrey was about to lose his rotation spot due to performance, anyway, so Deduno can stake claim to a rotation spot if he pitches well. He holds a 2.89 ERA in seven relief appearances this season, though that's also come along with a 1.55 WHIP.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire indicated Thursday that Samuel Deduno could slide into the rotation in Mike Pelfrey's place.

Pelfrey holds a 7.99 ERA over his first five starts and has yet to go more than 5 1/3 innings in any outing. Deduno struggled in four relief innings after Pelfrey Thursday but holds a 2.89 ERA overall. "Sammy is fine," Gardenhire said. "He just has to get into a routine, too. We stretched him out pretty good today and we'll make a decision here."

Samuel Deduno struck out five in two perfect innings out of the pen Friday against the Red Sox.

One of the strikeouts was bogus: Jonny Gomes checked his swing in plenty of time on what would have been ball four, but umpire Tim Timmons just wanted the game over with at that point. Still, that's not to take anything away from Deduno. He deserved to open the season in Minnesota's rotation, but he'll head off to middle relief to await his next opportunity.

Samuel Deduno surrendered two runs in 2 2/3 innings out of the pen Wednesday against the Cardinals.

It was the first poor outing of the spring for Deduno, who came in with a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings. He still hasn't gotten to start in any of his five appearances, which could be telling. He's the Twins' best option for the fifth spot in the rotation, but he might be sentenced to middle relief initially anyway.

Samuel Deduno pitched three hitless innings out of the pen Thursday against the Red Sox.

It's odd that the Twins still haven't given Deduno a start this spring, even though he should have been the favorite for the fifth spot in the rotation going in and he's continued to set himself apart from the competition since the exhibition season began. He's allowed just one run and five hits in 12 2/3 innings.

Samuel Deduno is "the biggest beneficiary" of Ervin Santana's decision to sign in Atlanta, writes Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

The Twins reportedly offered Santana a three-year deal worth between $30 to $33 million but refused to go to four years. Instead, the right-hander took $14.1 million for one season from the Braves, a decision that might seal Deduno's gig as Minnesota's fifth starter. The 30-year-old Dominican is coming off a career-best season after going 8-8 with a 3.83 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 67/41 K/BB ratio in 108 innings (18 starts) in 2013. He's logged a 1.35 ERA with a .227 batting average allowed over 6 2/3 frames this spring. Deduno should be considered the heavy favorite for the Twins' last open rotation spot, but he still needs to fend off Vance Worley, Scott Diamond and Kyle Gibson.

Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports that Samuel Deduno "appears to be the slight favorite" to land the final spot in the Twins' rotation.

He has a fight on his hands, though, with Vance Worley, Scott Diamond and Kyle Gibson all in the running for the spot. Deduno has the leg up after posting a 3.83 ERA last year with Twins, and he has only helped himself this spring with a 1.35 mark in Grapefruit League action. Fantasy owners would like to see Gibson get a shot, as he has the highest upside of the group. However, he's also the least experienced and has options left.

Samuel Deduno pitched two scoreless innings out of the pen and struck out three in the Twins' 8-2 drubbing of the Red Sox on Friday.

The Twins have threatened to eject Deduno from the rotation with all of their signings, but as is, he should be the clear favorite for the fifth spot. He was their best pitcher while healthy last year, finishing with a 3.83 ERA in 18 starts.

Samuel Deduno (shoulder) has already thrown 6-8 bullpen sessions at the Twins' spring training complex.

Deduno underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery back in September, but he's entering camp at 100 percent. The right-hander will compete this spring for the final spot in the Twins' rotation.