Fantex, Inc. announced on Wednesday that it has entered into brand contracts with five Major League players.

The players are Maikel Franco, Collin McHugh, Jonathan Schoop, Tyler Duffey and Yangervis Solarte.

Fantex offers professional athletes an up-front, one-time payment in exchange for a portion of that player's future earnings both on and off the field. Fantex then sells "shares" of that player to public investors for a set price.

Andrew Heaney became the first player to enter into an agreement with Fantex last September, taking a $3.34 million up-front payment in exchange for 10 percent of his future earnings.

The Minnesota Twins have sent Byron Buxton to Triple-A Rochester.

Max Kepler has been optioned as well.

Buxton has struggled early. He had just seven hits in his first 45 at-bats, with a .156/.208/.289 slash line in 17 games.

Kepler also struggled in nine games, hitting .167/.286/.333 with just two hits, both doubles, in 12 at-bats.

Miguel Sano, who had played right field exclusively this season, played third base for the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

Days earlier, Paul Molitor said he was committed to keeping Sano in the outfield despite drastic defensive struggles. The Twins started Sano in right field on Sunday against the Washington Nationals.

"It's been kind of a revolving thing in terms of my lineup day to day," Molitor said. "Could it happen again? Certainly. I don't know how much it's going to happen. I still consider him to be our right fielder."

Sano spent most of his Minor League career and 2015 rookie season at third base.

Ron Gardenhire is back with the Minnesota Twins, who have hired him as special assistant to general manager Terry Ryan.

Gardenhire, who managed the Twins from 2002-14, will serve as a roving Minor League instructor and evaluator.

The 58-year-old led the Twins to six division titles and was the American League Manager of the Year in 2010.

Johan Santana is looking to make a Major League comeback around mid-season, according to a report.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports says familiarity and comfort are on the left-hander's mind, which has people already connecting him to the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets.

Santana last threw a Major League pitch in 2012.

The Minnesota Twins have signed David Murphy to a Minor League contract.

The contract carries a $1.15 million salary. Murphy will be assigned to Triple-A Rochester.

Murphy, 34, was in camp with the Boston Red Sox but didn't make the Major League roster.

The Minnesota Twins have placed Glen Perkins on the disabled list with a strained shoulder.

The move was made retroactive to Monday. Taylor Rogers was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to join the bullpen and Kevin Jepsen is expected to close while Perkins is sidelined.

Perkins, 33, has allowed two runs in two innings this season with three strikeouts and one walk.