Milone could be used out of the bullpen Sunday if the Twins need another reliever, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

He would only be used in an emergency, but it is worth noting that he could be used in a relief role, which could impact those in weekly leagues. If he is not used out of the bullpen Milone should start Friday's game in Texas.

Milone gave up four runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk without recording a strikeout Thursday against Boston.

An ugly return to the majors for Milone, who struck out a ton of batters during his stint in Triple-A Rochester -- 47 in 38.2 innings -- but continued his struggles at the MLB level. Milone may draw some more starts in the near term, but his fantasy value remains quite limited, as he hasn't been able to replicate the success he experienced in Oakland in 2012 and 2014.

Milone was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to start Thursday's game in Boston.

Ricky Nolasco (ankle) was placed on the DL as a corresponding move, so Milone figures to have a shot at sticking in the rotation for at least a short stretch. Milone can be a serviceable streaming option in pitcher-friendly ballparks (so Thursday's start does not qualify), but the overall upside is relatively low given his career 16.7 percent K-rate in the big leagues.

Milone will be called up from Triple-A and start Thursday at Boston, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Twins changed their mind after saying the previous day they didn't plan to call him up despite a need for a starter with Ricky Nolasco's sore ankle. Milone has been nearly perfect at Triple-A with a a 0.70 ERA and 47:3 K:BB ratio in 38.2 innings at Triple-A. He could stick in the rotation Nolasco lands on the DL.

Milone is unlikely to be called up from Triple-A in the next few days despite the Twins having an unsettled rotation since he pitched on Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Minnesota's rotation plans are in flux with Rick Nolaso possibly heading to the DL with an ankle injury and with a doubleheader set for Wednesday. The Twins don't want Milone pitching on short rest. However, Milone is the leading candidate to be called up if Nolasco lands on the DL since he has a 0.70 ERA in 47:3 in 38.2 innings at Triple-A.

Milone has given up just one run in 32.2 innings at Triple-A Rochester with a 41:2 K:BB ratio. However, there are no plans to call him up in the near future, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "We asked him to go down there and be aggressive, and he's been doing that," said Twins manager Paul Molitor.

Milone will likely be the first starter called up if an opening occurs, but the Twins rotation is going through a rare stretch of competence (3.58 ERA in May) compared to the last few years so Minnesota doesn't feel the need to make a move despite Milone's dominance.

Milone hasn't given up a run in 14.1 innings with a 20:2 K:BB ratio since being sent to Triple-A Rochester.

He's won both his starts since being sent down and is making a strong case to be the first started called up if a need arises.

Milone was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Friday's game against the White Sox, Tyler Mason of FOX Sports North reports.

Following Ricky Nolasco's (elbow) activation from the disabled list, Milone's spot in the rotation was filled, and a bullpen role wasn't in the offing. Expect Milone to remain a top option for spot starts as the Twins' season continues.

Milone will be replaced by Ricky Nolasco (elbow) for Saturday's scheduled start against the White Sox, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Although Milone is being bumped from the starting rotation to the bullpen, it's possible he could start Monday's game against the Athletics, as Phil Hughes (hip) is dealing with a minor injury. Milone has been unimpressive through four starts, posting a 2-1 record, 4.76 ERA, 6.35 and 13:11 K:BB ratio.

Milone struck out two and walked two while giving up five runs on eight hits over four innings in a loss to Detroit on Monday night.

A righty-heavy Detroit lineup presented a tough matchup for Milone, who surrendered home runs to Jose Iglesias and Yoenis Cespedes on Monday night. After tossing 7.2 scoreless against the White Sox in his first start of the season, Milone has failed to get through six innings in each of his last three trips to the mound. He'll take the ball against the White Sox at Target Field on Saturday for his next start.

Milone struck out one and walked four while allowing four runs on five hits over 5.2 innings against the Royals on Tuesday.

Making his second straight start against Kansas City, Milone had similar results Tuesday to his previous matchup. After he tossed 7.2 scoreless inning against the White Sox in his season debut, Milone has looked more like a back-end starter in his last two starts. He's positioned for two home starts next week, first against the Tigers on Monday before another turn against the White Sox on May 2.

Milone (2-0) got the win Thursday despite allowing 10 baserunners -- seven hits and three walks -- and three runs over 5.1 innings against Kansas City.

This wasn't nearly as good an effort as his first outing, but hey, that's two starts and two wins for Milone, who posted a 7.06 ERA and 2.22 WHIP after coming over to Minnesota last year. He's certainly off to a much better start this time around.

Milone tossed a gem against the White Sox on Friday, allowing just two hits over 7.2 scoreless innings to win his first start of the season.

He struck out seven and walked two, throwing 65 of his 100 pitches for strikes along the way. Milone became the odd-man out in the Oakland rotation last season after Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel were acquired from the Cubs, enabling the Twins to acquire him in a swap for Sam Fuld. Milone has always had good control, but he typically struggles to miss bats (career 6.5 K/9, 5.7 K/9 in 2014) and is often susceptible to the long ball (career 1.2 HR/9). He'll look to build on the impressive season debut Thursday against Kansas City at Target Field in his next start.

The Twins announced Saturday that Milone has claimed the No. 5 spot in the Twins' rotation, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The lefty beat out Mike Pelfrey and Trevor May for the job, despite a meager 4.50 ERA over his 14 spring innings. Milone's fly-ball tendencies and aversion to walks could allow him to carve out some usefulness at spacious Target Field, but coming off a season in which he posted a career-worst 5.7 K/9 rate, his fantasy value would seem to have a low ceiling.

The Twins will announce their fifth starter Saturday, with the candidates being Milone, Mike Pelfrey and Trevor May, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

May can be optioned to the minor leagues, and the Twins seem to like what Pelfrey can offer from the bullpen. The team also doesn't have any lefties locked into its rotation, which could give Milone another advantage. While the southpaw seems to be the favorite, it wouldn't be shocking if the Twins decided to go with Pelfrey or May.

Milone gave up three runs over five innings with three strikeouts and two walks in Thursday's spring training loss to the Red Sox. His spring ERA rose to 4.50 with a 8:4 K:BB ratio in 14 innings.

It wasn't exactly the outing Milone needed to win the fifth starter role. However, Twins management didn't sound too negative about his outing. He's still seen in competition with Trevor May as the main candidates for the job with Mike Pelfrey also in the mix. The competition looks too close to call a this point.

Milone remains in competition with Trevor May and Mike Pelfrey for the fifth starter role despite giving up four runs in four innings in Saturday's spring training loss to Baltimore, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He's also a candidate for the bullpen if he doesn't win the job.

The three-way race is wide open at the moment, but many feel Milone will win since it will give the Twins one lefty in the rotation.

Milone and Mike Pelfrey have emerged as the top candidates for Minnesota's fifth starter job, MLB.com reports.

Alex Meyer was sent to minor league camp Friday and Tim Stauffer was sent to the bullpen. Trevor May remains in the mix, but he's seen behind Milone and May. Milone has thrown five scoreless innings but did give up two runs in four innings in a minor league game.

Milone, who had offseason surgery to remove a benign tumor from his neck, threw two scoreless innings in his spring debut in Friday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Neck pain kept Milone off the hill for most of September, and the discomfort continued into the offseason. Eventually, he went to see a specialist, and the benign tumor was then found and promptly removed. He'll compete with Alex Meyer, Trevor May, Tim Stauffer and Mike Pelfrey for the fifth starter role this spring.

Milone, who had offseason surgery to remove a benign tumor from his neck, has been throwing without issues this spring, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It sounds like Milone will fully be ready for spring training. He'll compete with Alex Meyer, Trevor May, Tim Stauffer and Mike Pelfrey for the fifth starter role this spring.