Joe Mauer gets a day off after catching 12 innings Saturday, and Mike Redmond is in the No. 3 spot. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he likes how Redmond is swinging the bat lately, and today’s Yankees starter, Darrell Rasner, is a sinker/slider specialist who fits Redmond’s style of hitting balls the other way.

Nick Punto was in the lineup originally but has been scratched, with Brendan Harris taking over at shortstop. Punto also played all 12 innings and went back to the hospital to be with his wife and baby daughter.

Gardy said Punto is a little beat up. General soreness, not another hamstring issue.

Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey are available to pitch out of the bullpen today. This is one reason the Twins haven’t made any decisions about the rotation with Scott Baker likely to return Thursday. If Nick Blackburn has to leave today’s start early, Perkins or Slowey might be called upon to pitch and wouldn’t be able to make their next scheduled start.

Eventually, the Twins might activate Baker and keep 13 pitchers on the roster, Gardenhire said. Bonser and Brian Bass are both out of options, and since the Twins won’t have another off day until June 16, the Twins need lots of help in the bullpen.

The relievers have pitched 11 innings in the past two days, so the Twins could use another long one from Blackburn, something that is never easy for a rookie against the Yankees.

Yankees (28-27)

1. Johnny Damon, CF

2. Derek Jeter, SS

3. Bobby Abreu, RF

4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B

5. Hideki Matsui, DH

6. Wilson Betemit, 1B

7. Robinson Cano, 2B

8. Chad Moeller, C

9. Melky Cabrera, CF

Starting pitcher: RH Darrell Rasner

Twins (28-27)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF

2. Alexi Casilla, 2B

3. Mike Redmond, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Michael Cuddyer, RF

6. Jason Kubel, DH

7. Delmon Young, LF

8. Mike Lamb, 3B

9. Brendan Harris, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn

Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.