Nolasco activated by Twins, starts vs Royals

MINNAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins have activated Ricky Nolasco from the disabled list and put him right back into the rotation.

Nolasco was starting Friday night against Kansas City.

The right-hander started two games and allowed three runs in 9 1-3 innings during a rehabilitation stint at Class A Cedar Rapids.

Nolasco signed a four-year, $49 million free agent contract with the Twins in the offseason. He was 5-7 with a 5.90 ERA before going on the disabled list with a right elbow strain on July 8.

The Twins optioned Yohan Pino to Triple-A Rochester. The soft-tossing righty started 10 games for the Twins, going 1-5 with a 5.37 ERA.