BRADENTON, FLA. — The Twins skipped Nick Blackburn’s turn in the starting rotation this time because his surgically repaired left knee is sore, Manager Ron Gardenhire said after his team’s 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh today.

Blackburn had arthroscopic surgery on the knee after last season. He tossed two scoreless innings Feb. 26 against Cincinnati, retiring all six batters he faced, but the knee has been bothering him.

“We don’t think it’s anything big,” Gardenhire said. “It should be all taken care of. He feels better already, but we’re going to be careful with this because of the surgery in the offseason.”

Gardenhire said he’s not sure if Blackburn will pitch the next time through the rotation.

“We’re going to start limiting him on the running we do,” Gardenhire said. “And the drills, the [pitchers fielding practice], and all that stuff, we’re going to really take it easy. We want to let him get through spring training.”

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