NEW YORK — Joe Crede is taking batting practice and fielding ground balls. He said his back feels better. Good chance he returns to the lineup for Monday night’s series finale.

No word on when Delmon Young will return from California. The Twins want him to take all the time he needs to be with his mother.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire dropped strong hints on his weekly radio show on KSTP AM-1500 that the team is about to address its bullpen situation. He dropped more hints in his pregame session with the writers.

Terry Ryan has been watching the Twins’ Class AA New Britain affiliate, and the feeling seems to be that Anthony Slama and Rob Delaney aren’t ready to make the jump.

LHP Sean Henn has shown the most promise of the relievers at Class AAA Rochester. He has a 1.23 ERA, and fastball has been clocked at 95 mph. Henn is not on the 40-man roster, but the Twins could add him by moving Boof Bonser to the 60-day disabled list.

I think Gardenhire’s feelings about RHP Luis Ayala were made clear Saturday, when Ayala was warming in the bullpen, while LHP Craig Breslow faced Alex Rodriguez in the 11th inning.

My prediction is the Twins will be adding Henn soon, and Ayala could be on his way out. Stay tuned.

TWINS (18-19)

1. Denard Span, LF
2. Matt Tolbert, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Kevin Slowey (5-1, 4.91 ERA)

YANKEES (19-17)

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Melky Cabrera, CF
8. Ramiro Pena, 2B
9. Kevin Cash, C

Starting pitcher: RH A.J. Burnett (2-1, 5.36 ERA)

Yankee Stadium. First pitch: 12:05 p.m. (Central)

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