P.J.

Walters

He struck out five and didn’t walk a batter. Walters surrendered an RBI single to Adam Lind in the fifth inning and a solo homer to Jose Bautista in the sixth. He showed more than enough in the fine performance to earn himself another turn through the Twins rotation, which should come against the Tigers in Detroit on Thursday.

Walters, 27, has registered a 2.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 25/6 K/BB ratio in 33 1/3 innings this season at the Triple-A level. He’s going to jump into the Minnesota starting rotation on Saturday against the Blue Jays but should probably be avoided in a majority of fantasy leagues.

Walters posted a 5.17 ERA and 113/58 K/BB ratio in 132 2/3 innings this past year between two different Triple-A affiliates. The 26-year-old righty was sent from the Cardinals to the Blue Jays in July as part of the eight-player Colby Rasmus trade.

Walters punched out eight and walked two while improving to 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA through three starts this year. The Twins’ rotation has been awful in 2012, and Walters has been a breath of fresh air. He’ll make for a solid streaming play when he takes on the A’s on Monday.

Walters has been shut down since experiencing a setback in early July. He’s not eligible to return until mid-August and might not be ready by that time, anyway. It’s no given that he’ll rejoin the Twins’ rotation when healthy.

If his next bullpener (on Thursday) goes well, Walters may be cleared to make a minor league rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Rochester. And he should be cleared to return to the Twins’ rotation five days after that. The right-hander has posted an ugly 5.40 ERA in seven starts this season, but Minnesota doesn’t have better options.

Walters gave up five hits while striking out two and walking none. While he has an ugly 5.40 ERA in seven starts with the Twins this season, he figures to rejoin the team’s starting rotation after the All-Star break.

Walters was activated from the DL Saturday after missing two and a half months with shoulder issues. The Twins could use a seven-man rotation down the stretch, with Esmerling Vasquez also getting a shot. “This is the one opportunity where you could possibly go to a six-man or even seven-man [rotation] if you deemed it necessary,” general manager Terry Ryan said. “We’re bringing up two starting pitchers, Vasquez and Walters, and we’re certainly interested in how they responded.”

Walters wanted to stay in the game, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire thought better of it and yanked him after the righty allowed the first four runners to reach. We’ll update his status when more is known. Jeff Manship replaced Walters on the mound.

Walters was unable to get loose, and his velocity was down as he allowed four straight hits to start the game before exiting. He’ll receive an MRI Thursday. Jeff Manship replaced Walters on the mound and would be an option to replace him in the rotation if an extended absence is required.