Desperate Twins Get Some Help

First baseman Scott Stahoviak had been out nearly seven weeks. Outfielder Darrin Jackson had not played in the majors for more than two years. Both returned to the major leagues Friday hoping to help the slumping Minnesota Twins.

The Twins, losers of 17 of 22, activated Stahoviak from the disabled list and promoted Jackson from triple-A Salt Lake.

Stahoviak spent the last two weeks on a rehabilitation assignment in Salt Lake. In eight games, he batted .214 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in.

Jackson batted .312 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs in 104 games with the Chicago White Sox in 1994, his last major league season. He went three for five Friday against Boston.

Pitcher Bob Tewksbury was put on the 15-day disabled list and the Twins sent outfielder Brent Brede back to Salt Lake.

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The Kansas City Royals made several moves to shore up their pitching staff.

The Royals purchased the contract of right-hander Mike Williams from triple-A Omaha and designated left-handed reliever Jim Converse for assignment.

The Royals also claimed left-handed pitcher Casey Whitten on waivers from the Cleveland Indians and assigned him to Omaha. Right-hander Rick Huisman was transfered from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. Williams was 0-0 with five saves and a 2.57 ERA in nine relief outings for Omaha.

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The Cleveland Indians signed pitcher Jamie Brown and assigned him to Burlington of the Appalachian League.. . . With interleague play starting in June, Texas Ranger pitchers will start taking batting practice Monday.