MINNEAPOLIS — Chris Paddack found a gear when he appeared out of the bullpen for the first time in his career while on his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul — and he’s been waiting far too long for the opportunity to show it off in the Majors.

“I think coming out of the bullpen on Tuesday night changed my big league career,” Paddack said.

And after all that, Sheriff will need to wait a while longer to, well, actually pitch.

Sixteen months after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, Paddack made his return to the active roster on Sunday, and this is no mere feel-good story. The Twins are looking at Paddack to be a real difference-maker out of their bullpen — but his planned ‘23 debut was wiped out by a rain delay in the Twins’ 9-3 win over the Angels on Sunday at Target Field.

Paddack was fully warmed up, had been announced as the new pitcher and was in the process of jogging to the mound when the skies fully opened up and the teams entered a 50-minute rain delay. The game later resumed with Louie Varland on the mound, with Paddack likely to pitch on Tuesday.

“A wet blanket, if you will,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He’s worked for literally almost two years to get back for today to take the mound. … If there were any jitters, hopefully they’re now left strewn on the field, kind of laying around. He is now really ready to pitch.”

Beyond this season, the Twins will look to Paddack as a core member of their starting rotation — and they affirmed as much by signing him to a three-year, $12.5 million contract extension last offseason to take the pressure off his recovery. But Paddack was adamant that he wanted to help the Twins this season.

“I told them back in January, ‘I don’t want you guys telling me I’m not pitching this year,’” Paddack said. “I want to have something to come back and shoot for. I’m very thankful and blessed that the rehab process, the progression and everything was really good. I’m just excited to be back with this group of guys.”