Pelfrey gave up one run over four innings with three strikeouts and no walks in Wednesday's split squad win over Boston. He's given up just one earned run in nine innings this spring with a 5:0 K:BB ratio.

Pelfrey remains in the job battle for the fifth starter role and his strong showing in three spring starts may have him in the lead. Still, the race is a toss up between Pelfrey, Alex Meyer, Tommy Milone and Trevor May.

Pelfrey is unlikely to be a candidate for the bullpen if he doesn't win the fifth starter role, manager Paul Molitor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Mike traditionally has been a guy that takes some time to get ready, and it'd be a big transition for him to get up and throw 12 pitches and come into the ballgame," Molitor said.

Pelfrey struggled last season with a 7.99 ERA and just a 10:18 K:BB ratio in 23.2 innings before he was shut down with a sore elbow that eventually required surgery to relieve pressure on his ulnar nerve. He's a long shot to win the fifth starter role over Alex Meyer, Tommy Milone, Trevor May, and Tim Stauffer. Pelfrey may need to pitch in the minors to revive his career as a result.

Pelfrey (elbow) threw to live hitters Saturday for the first time since undergoing surgery in May, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Pelfrey was reportedly pleased with how the session went, saying he felt great and that he was able to locate his pitches. Although the right-hander didn't return after undergoing surgery to relieve pressure near the ulnar nerve in his elbow, he was able to resume mound work in September and entered spring training without any major restrictions. Pelfrey is competing for a rotation spot but could also be a bullpen option if he fails to earn a starting job.

Pelfrey (elbow) said Saturday that he will go into spring training healthy and ready to compete for a rotation spot, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Surgery to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve in Pelfrey's right elbow effectively ended the 31-year-old's 2014 season in June, but he was able to resume throwing bullpen sessions before the end of September. Pelfrey was then able to go through his normal offseason routine, and will now look to start anew after going 5-16 with a 5.56 ERA in his first two years with the Twins. He could be a bullpen option if he fails to claim a rotation spot.

Pelfrey (elbow) has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The right-hander was restricted to long tossing for about a month, but he's back on elevated ground and has already worked himself up to 45 pitches. Despite his progress, the Twins plan to hold him out of all game action until next spring.

Pelfrey (elbow) has ruled out returning to the Twins before the end of the season, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Pelfrey has started up his throwing program and has recently begun throwing from 105 feet, but the Twins have already told him they have no intentions of rushing him back to the major league roster over the final few weeks of the season. Instead, Pelfrey will slowly work his way up to throwing from 150 feet, before tossing bullpen sessions every third day prior to the end of the season. By proceeding slowly with Pelfrey's recovery, the Twins are hopeful they can salvage some value from the right-hander as he enters the final season of his two-year, $11 million contract in 2015.

Pelfrey (elbow) began a throwing program Wednesday, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Pelfrey probably won't be able to build up his pitch count enough to start again this season, so the likely outcomes of either a return to the middle of the Twins' bullpen or no return at all make Pelfrey an unappealing option.

Mike Pelfrey (elbow) began a throwing program on Wednesday.

Pelfrey has been out since May 2, first with a groin strain and then nerve irritation in his elbow. He's got a long way back, but it's a step in the right direction. Pelfrey could be back with the Twins for a September cameo if things progress well.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Friday that Mike Pelfrey no longer has numbness in his hand.

Pelfrey underwent surgery in June to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve in his throwing elbow. Ryan said that he "wouldn't be surprised" if the righty is done for the season -- and in all likelihood, he is -- but he left the door open for a September return.

Twins transferred RHP Mike Pelfrey from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The move opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for Yohan Pino. Pelfrey underwent surgery last week to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve in his throwing elbow and is likely done for the season.

Mike Pelfrey will be sidelined for the next 2-4 months after having surgery Tuesday to relieve pressure on his ulnar nerve.

It's an operation that seems likely to end his season. Pelfrey had been on the disabled list with a groin injury, but he had to be shut down late last month due to the elbow issue. If his season is indeed over, Pelfrey will have posted a 7.99 ERA over five starts. He's under contract for $5.5 million next season.

Mike Pelfrey (elbow) is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Monday.

Pelfrey is on anti-inflammatory medication, but it hasn't completely solved his nerve issue. The right-hander started the season off poorly with a 7.99 ERA in his first five outings. Any sort of elbow surgery would put the remainder of the 2014 campaign in jeopardy.

Mike Pelfrey's rehab has been shut down for a few days as the Twins wait to see how his elbow reacts to anti-inflammatory medication.

Hopefully he's able to resume throwing soon. While no structural damage was found in an MRI taken last week, Pelfrey is going to receive a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews. Pelfrey underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012. This season, he had put up an ERA of close to 8.00 prior to being shut down with a groin injury. The elbow issues only began to flare up during his minor league rehab sessions.

Mike Pelfrey (groin, elbow) will receive a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.

Pelfrey's elbow is fine structurally, but it's possible he'll need minor surgery to fix some nerve irritation. The right-hander is dealing with some tingling in his fingers, a condition that evidently dates back to spring training. It's not clear how long a procedure would sideline him.

Mike Pelfrey (groin) has been diagnosed with nerve irritation in his right elbow.

Pelfrey was said to have been shut down from his rehab assignment due to shoulder issues, but it's apparently his elbow that's the concern. The righty is experiencing some tingling in his fingers as a result of the nerve irritation. The Twins don't think the ailment is serious, but it's not clear how long Pelfrey will be out.

Mike Pelfrey (groin) returned from his rehab assignment on Wednesday due to shoulder soreness.

That's not a good sign. Pelfrey had been improving after being placed on the DL with a groin strain, so the shoulder issue is a new development. Pelfrey will be examined by team doctors on Wednesday, and more should be known about any new injuries and a possible timetable for return from those ailments.

Mike Pelfrey will make a rehab start Friday for Triple-A Rochester.

Pelfrey will throw around 60 pitches in the start, his first since hitting the disabled list on May 2. He'll have 30 days to rehab before being required to be activated, and the Twins will likely take their time to ensure the 30-year-old makes it back healthy.

Mike Pelfrey (groin) threw a bullpen session Tuesday.

It's another step in the right direction for Pelfrey, who was placed on the disabled list May 2 with a left groin strain. The 30-year-old had a 7.99 ERA and 18 walks through his first 23 2/3 innings this season, so the Twins probably won't rush him back.

Mike Pelfrey (groin) continues to improve and increase activity.

Pelfrey was placed on the disabled list last week with a left groin strain. He's making progress, but might return as a reliever. The 30-year-old has an ugly 7.99 ERA and 18 walks through 23 2/3 innings this season.

Twins placed RHP Mike Pelfrey on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain.

It can be debated as to whether he's really hurt, as Pelfrey had been poised to be removed from the rotation, anyway. Regardless, he's out and Samuel Deduno is in the Twins' rotation. It's not clear how long Pelfrey will be sidelined.