Perkins pitched 11 innings for the Minnesota Twins during spring training, recording one win and one loss with a 5.73 ERA. He did not make the team and was sent down to Triple-A Rochester. With the Rochester Red Wings, he pitched 33.1 innings, recording two wins, one loss, a 2.97 ERA, and 27 strikeouts. On May 7, 2008, Perkins was called up to replace injured teammate Scott Baker. He started his first major league game against the Boston Red Sox on May 10, 2008. He recorded his first major league win in a home start against the Texas Rangers on May 20, 2008.