MINNEAPOLIS -- Miguel Sanó is one step away from returning to the Major Leagues.

Sano is expected to begin the final stop of his rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A Rochester after having completed five games with Double-A Pensacola in the past week. Manager Rocco Baldelli does not anticipate a short stay for Sano in Triple-A, where the Twins hope the third baseman can most closely simulate a Major League workload as part of the last step of his recovery.

"I can¡¯t tell you I know how many it¡¯s going to be, but it¡¯s going to be more than a few games at Rochester," Baldelli said Friday. "He¡¯s going to go, and he¡¯s also going to play several consecutive games in a row and just get the feel of taking the field every day."

The Red Wings are at home against Durham through Sunday before embarking on a six-game road trip on Tuesday.

Because Sano's conditioning is as much of an emphasis on this rehab assignment as his preparation to face Major League pitching, Baldelli said that the timeline for Sano's return would not be affected by his performance in Triple-A.

"He¡¯s to the point in his progression where it¡¯s not play, day off, play, play, day off," Baldelli said. "He¡¯s going to go, and he¡¯s going to get his at-bats. He¡¯s going to get out there.¡±

Sano did not play or participate in baseball activity during Spring Training after sustaining a laceration to his right lower Achilles area in January. He began baseball activity in Minnesota before he was sent to the club's Minor League complex in Fort Myers, Fla., on April 16.

"He wants to get out there and be part of this team," Baldelli said. "He talks about winning more than he talks about how he¡¯s feeling, or his at-bats, or anything like that. 'I just want to get back, and I just want to get back and win with my teammates.' That¡¯s what he says. That¡¯s the best thing you could ever hear from a guy.¡±

Other injury notes
? Addison Reed is expected to appear in a second rehab game for Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. He pitched for the first time on Tuesday, when he tallied a walk, a strikeout and two popouts.

? Adalberto Mejía is expected to begin pitching soon in extended camp in Fort Myers. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 2 (retroactive to May 1) with a right calf strain.

Briefly
Kohl Stewart arrived in the Twins' clubhouse on Friday afternoon and later was announced as the starter for the 7:10 p.m. CT nightcap of Saturday's scheduled day-night doubleheader. Michael Pineda will start the afternoon game, which starts at 1:10 p.m. CT.