Addison Reed pronounced himself “refreshed” after making just one relief appearance in a span of eight days, but the veteran right-hander might need to wait to reclaim his setup role.

“I think everyone thought it was a good chance for him to maybe step out of that role, at least temporarily, and try to find maybe a couple of spots to get him going,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said before Tuesday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox. “I’m going to use him when I think it’s the right time. I’m not sure exactly when that’s going to be right now.”

Reed, signed to a two-year, $16.75 million contract in January, was on pace for a career-high 81 regular-season appearances before this recent break. He gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits while recording two outs in his lone appearance on the last road trip, June 13 at Detroit.

That left Reed with a 9.45 earned-run average over his past seven outings, including two of his five losses and three blown saves. Reed had allowed a .400 batting average and .486 on-base percentage to his last 35 batters, including three home runs and a .700 slugging percentage in 6 2/3 innings.

“We’re just trying to reset him,” Molitor said. “He kind of went through a tough stretch of games there. I think sometimes you’ve just got to make a little adjustment on how you’re using a guy, and then you try to get him back on track.” Related Articles Twins ride long ball, a little clutch relief, back into first place

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Over his first 25 outings through May 27, Reed posted a 2.36 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. He allowed a .291 OBP and a .398 slugging percentage while recording at least four outs four times.

Including the postseason, Reed has made 81 and 80 appearances the past two seasons for the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, respectively.

“That’s one thing I pride myself on: I try to be ready every day,” Reed said. “I do a lot of stuff in the weight room to be available and ready to go. I pride myself on being able to throw every night and as many innings, as many hitters, as they need me to.”

Reed, whose average fastball velocity has dipped from 92.3 mph last season to 91.1 mph, remains confident despite being taken out of the setup role for the moment.

“I think we’re just kind of playing it by ear,” he said. “I’m sitting in the bullpen, and when the phone rings, if they call my name, I’m going to go out there and pitch. If they don’t, I’m not.”

LEWIS PLAN

Class A Cedar Rapids shortstop Royce Lewis, the Twins’ top prospect, traveled to Lansing, Mich., for the Midwest League All-Star Game despite a recent bout of what Lewis termed patellar tendinitis in his left knee.

Lewis singled and flied out while playing four innings at shortstop.

Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey wouldn’t verify the diagnosis but did reiterate the condition is “manageable” in the team’s estimation.

“I don’t want to comment on the specifics without me getting the full details from those guys (on the minor-league side),” Falvey said. “(Lewis) kept us in the loop on some things just generally he was going through over the course of the season, but I don’t think this is anything we’re long-term concerned about. I don’t think there’s anything there beyond just some general soreness that he’s been fighting through.”

Lewis, 19, told the Cedar Rapids Gazette he had been experiencing “stingers” in his knee over the past six weeks or so.

BRIEFLY

— Ervin Santana threw a 35-pitch bullpen session that included sliders on Tuesday in Fort Myers. He is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Friday as he tries to ramp back up; he was shut down after just two rehab starts because of diminished velocity in the wake of Feb. 6 finger surgery.

— Trevor May, placed on the DL at Triple-A Rochester with shoulder inflammation after going 0-4 with a 6.11 ERA, has not undergone any additional tests such as an MRI, Falvey said.

— Rookie right-hander Fernando Romero gave up his locker to newly re-signed reliever Matt Belisle and has moved across the home clubhouse to occupy Miguel Sano’s old stall. Romero now sits next to Santana’s currently empty corner locker.

— Sano went 2 for 4 with a walk and scored two runs while playing third base for Class A Fort Myers on Monday.

—Byron Buxton, opening a rehab stint at Triple-A Rochester, went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts on Tuesday as the Red Wings’ designated hitter.