Santiago to start for White Sox on Monday

DETROIT — Left-hander Hector Santiago will start for the White Sox when they open a home stand against the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

Santiago, the Opening Day closer who went to AAA Charlotte to be stretched out as a long relief man and possible starter, is 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA this season.

Santiago made his first good impression at the major-league level when he pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Twins on July 7 of last season. He allowed one hit that night.

On Wednesday in Baltimore, Dylan Axelrod pitch 7 1/3 strong innings and won in place of Gavin Floyd, who is on the disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain. Axelrod was optioned to AA Birmingham after the game and isn’t eligible to rejoin the Sox until Tuesday. Birmingham’s season ends Monday. Manager Robin Ventura said Axelrod will rejoin the team at a later date.

Floyd, meanwhile, has played light catch at 90 feet the last two days.

“I’m just tossing out there keeping the arm moving,” Floyd said Saturday. “I do feel it a little bit. Hopefully these days of throwing will progressively get better.”

Floyd is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sept. 11.

“I hope it’s just the 15 days and get back after that,” he said. “That would be ideal. I guess right now you play it one day at a time and see how things play out.”