Twins activate Garver off 10-day injured list, option Astudillo

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The Minnesota Twins activated catcher Mitch Garver from the 10-day injured list and optioned Willians Astudillo to the alternate training site on Friday.

Garver hasn’t appeared in a game since Aug. 19. He went on the 10-day injured list the following day with a right intercostal strain.

When he makes his return to the Twins lineup Friday night, the 29-year-old catcher is looking to turn his 2020 season around. In 17 contests this season (61 plate appearances), Garver is batting .154/.262/.212 with one home run and 24 strikeouts. He aims to morph back into his 2019 form which produced 31 homers and a .273/.365/.630 slash line in 93 contests.

Astudillo heads back to the alternate training site after going 4-for-16 (.250) with one double, one dinger and three RBI in eight games. Astudillo played six games at catcher, four of those starts.

Garver is one of three catchers on the Twins’ 28-man roster, joining Alex Avila and rookie Ryan Jeffers. Avila returned from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday.

Minnesota begins a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.