Twins call up Polanco from Fort Myers

There are aggressive promotions, then there's this.

The Twins are calling up shortstop/second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Major Leagues from Class A Advanced Fort Myers and optioning right-handed pitcher Yohan Pino back to the Minors.

That's right, Minnesota's No. 8 prospect will be skipping the Double-A and Triple-A levels to make his debut in the Majors.

The 20-year-old switch-hitter owned a .289/.363/404 slash line with five homers, three triples, 12 doubles, 35 RBIs and eight steals in 72 games down in the Florida State League at the time of the promotion. He had been heating up lately, going 15-for-40 (.375) with a homer, five RBIs and four walks in his last 10 games and was the Florida State League Offensive Player of the Week last week.

"Polanco's approach at the plate is about as solid as you will find at this early stage of his career," Miracle manager Doug Mientkiewicz told MiracleBaseball.com last month. "He hits the ball where it is pitched and has a knack for getting the barrel to the ball more times than not. This is why he will continue to be successful as he climbs the ladder."

Polanco has played primarily at shortstop this season, making 21 errors at the position, but has gained experience at second base in previous years as well, where many believe he might be better suited. MLB.com gave the Dominican Republic native 50 grades (average) on both his field and arm tools this past offseason. He curiously made his first start of the season at second base Wednesday, just one day before it was announced he was heading to Minnesota.

The Twins might need infield help after rookie shortstop Danny Santana went down with a knee injury Wednesday night. Though Polanco was expected to arrive in time for Thursday's game against the Angels, Pedro Florimon was in the lineup as the Twins' starting shortstop.

Pino will return to Triple-A Rochester after a two-start stint with the big club. He had a solid showing in his Major League debut last Thursday, giving up only two runs on five hits and fanning seven in seven innings against the White Sox, but took a step back Wednesday against the Angels, surrendering five runs on seven hits in just three frames.