Twins reinstate Odorizzi, Avila; Dobnak, Blankenhorn optioned to alternate site

The Minnesota Twins on Wednesday reinstated pitcher Jake Odorizzi and catcher Alex Avila from the 10-day Injured List.

Odorizzi, who began the season on the Injured List, made three starts last month before being placed back on the IL with a chest contusion suffered when he was struck by a line-drive on Aug. 21 in Kansas City. The 2019 All-Star is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings pitched this season.

Avila missed the past 10 games with lower back tightness. In 20 games this season, Avila has hit .167 with one double, one home run, two RBI and a .352 on-base percentage.

To make room on the active roster for Odorizzi and Avila, the Twins optioned infielder Travis Blankenhorn and pitcher Randy Dobnak to the alternate training site in St. Paul.

Blankenhorn was promoted on Monday and made his MLB debut Tuesday night, doubling in the ninth inning for his first major league hit. Dobnak has made 10 starts for Minnesota this year, going 6-4 with a 4.05 ERA, 27 strikeouts and 13 walks in 46.2 innings. In his past four starts, however, he’s gone 1-3 with an 8.27 ERA.

Dobnak and Blankenhorn with both remain with the team as part of its Taxi Squad.