4:44 Update: Nick Punto tonight will receive a cortisone shot in his sprained left ring finger. Since it takes a couple days for the shot to take effect, Punto probably will miss the series.

It’s too bad the diagnosis couldn’t have been made in Detroit, so he could have gotten a shot there and be ready for this series. But it sounds like no one expected Punto to still have problems with it when he returned from break.

5:17 update: Michael Cuddyer tomorrow will have a MRI exam of his left hand to make sure nothing more is wrong than a strained tendon in his left index finger. There’s more mobility, he said, but it’s still sore. The Twins need Cuddyer – and healthy hands – to help hold down the middle of the order. I think more opponents will follow Jim Leyland’s lead and intentionally walk Justin Morneau when first base is open, and someone needs to punish opponents when that happens. 

But the main issue is that Cuddyer is out indefinitely, and that’s not good.

Back to regular programming….. 

If you have an upper deck seat in right field tonight, there are about 20 balls hit by Josh Hamilton waiting for you when the gates open

Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and the misunderstood Milton Bradley are reasons why the Rangers lead the majors in scoring.

Livan Hernandez and Dennys Reyes were excused from Thursday’s workout, in addition to the three All-Stars.

Hitting coach Joe Vavra showed up in the clubhouse before the workout and was showered with congratulations for helping Justin Morneau win the Home Run Derby. Vavra said he heard the boos when he couldn’t throw the ball over the plate but still felt a lot of energy in the stadium.

Vavra said the plan was to pitch Morneau high and on the inner half of the plate and just let him drive the ball into the stands. It worked.

“Well, we didn’t go there to finish second,” Vavra joked. 

Lineups

Texas (50-46) 1. Ian Kinsler, 2B. 2. Michael Young, SS. 3. Josh Hamilton, CF. 4. Milton Bradley, DH. 5. Marlon Byrd, RF. 6. Hank Blalock, 3B. 7. Brandon Boggs, LF. 8. Chris Davis, 1B. 9. Taylor Teegarden, C. Pitching: Kevin Millwood.

Twins (53-42): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Alexi Casilla, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Home Run Derby King, 1B. 5. Jason Kubel, DH, 6. Delmon Young, LF. 7. Brian Buscher, 3B.  8.  Brendan Harris, SS. 9. Denard Span, RF. Pitching: Glen Perkins.

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