MINNEAPOLIS  — Minnesota Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson will begin his comeback season from Tommy John surgery in the minors.

The Twins optioned Gibson to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday.

The former first-round draft pick was considered among the favorites to make the Twins rotation to start the season. But he struggled with his command in four spring training outings. Gibson gave up eight runs in eight innings over those four appearances. He threw three wild pitches in one inning against Philadelphia last weekend.

That, coupled with right-hander Cole De Vries’ strong spring, may have convinced the Twins to start Gibson in the minors.

They also optioned left-hander Caleb Thielbar to Rochester and reassigned right-hander Anthony Slama, catcher Kyle Knudson and infielder James Beresford to minor league camp.