The Minnesota Twins activated left-handed reliever Glen Perkins from the 60-day disabled list Thursday, adding the three-time All-Star to their bullpen as they push for an American League wild-card spot.
Perkins, 34, hasn't pitched this season as he was recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
"I did everything I could to hold up my end of the bargain and try to make it as quick as I could, and they've held up their end of the bargain," Perkins said Thursday before Minnesota's doubleheader against Cleveland. "They're going to give me a chance to pitch, and that's all I really wanted out of this whole thing."
He made eight rehab appearances in the Twins' minor league system, going 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA before being activated. Perkins was an All-Star selection from 2013-15 as he totaled 102 saves over those three seasons.
"I had my doubts, but it wasn't like I was going to give up. That wasn't an option," Perkins said of his comeback. "I would've just kept rehabbing until my contract ran out, I guess, if that was the alternative. I at least owed that to them, to give them everything I've got."
I'm sure I forgot some, but these are the people that deserve to be recognized for their unwavering support I had during rehab. 👊🏻🤞🏻 pic.twitter.com/wUivTHVm87
— Glen Perkins (@glenperkins) August 17, 2017
The rehabilitation process doubled from the initial estimate because of multiple setbacks, but Perkins was more than eager to pitch at Target Field for the first time since Oct. 2, 2015. He was certain he'd feel adrenaline, if not anxiety.
Perkins has missed 273 straight games, a 493-day absence. The only status he's sure to regain is the veteran privilege of a spacious corner locker.
"My goal is to help wherever I can. To think otherwise would be incredibly selfish on my part," he said. "I checked my ego when I had surgery."
The Twins enter Thursday's games one game behind the Los Angeles Angels for the second wild-card spot in the American League.
Manager Paul Molitor promised to be careful with Perkins in this initial stage of his reappearance. Though the Twins have not appointed a new closer after trading All-Star Brandon Kintzler, Perkins for now is not a candidate for a save situation or likely to throw more than 20 or 25 pitches at a time.
"Everyone's a little curious to how his stuff's going to match up, up here, given the fact that it's going to be a little bit different-looking Perkins," Molitor said.
To make room for Perkins on the active roster, left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained shoulder. Enns, who was acquired from the New York Yankees in the trade for left-handed pitcher Jaime Garcia, was originally slated to start on Saturday.
If there's enough success over the final 45 games to entice the front office to offer a bargain-rate deal for next year, then Perkins' storybook career with his home-state team could continue a little longer. Otherwise, the next six weeks will serve as the curtain call. His two daughters, entering fourth and fifth grade, are more concerned about dad going swimming with them than how many more major league innings he'll pitch.
"It's not worth chasing anything else to leave them for another year," Perkins said. "If I get the opportunity to play here next year, I think my kids are going to be mad at me just for that."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.