Doctors today found a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in Boof Bonser’s right shoulder, leading to more extensive repairs than what was first thought.

Bonser is out at least six months, but probably the whole season.

My reaction is that this is a total surprise, given that he underwent two MRI exams that revealed no structural damage. It’s too bad for Boof, who had a good chance at a bullpen spot.

Still waiting for the Twins to officially announce the injury. Will check back later when more details are known.

3:42 Update: The Twins have made it official. The press release states that Dr. Koco Eaton, `found and repaired partial tears to the right labrum and rotator cuff in Bonser’s shoulder. Bonser is expected to miss six to eight months recovering from the surgery.‘

I’m already at Hammond Stadium prepping for my fill-in stint on KFAN. I know this is the beginning of 35 fake games before the real ones start, but I still get fired up on this day.

The Twins lineup hasn’t been finalized yet. I did hear that we will not see Carlos Gomez today so others can play.

I was just handed the Red Sox lineup. Keep in mind that they play a split-squad with Boston College today.

1. Ellsbury, CF. 2. MVP, 2B. 3. Youkilis, 3B. 4. Jason Bay, LF. 5. Wilkerson, RF. 6. Lowrie, SS. 7. Bailey, DH. . 8. Bard, C. 9. Gil Velazquez, 5. Pitching: Wakefield.  It’s a good test for Glen Perkins.

Read Jim Souhan’s well-written story on Nick Punto today…..but Punto needs to stop diving into first base.

Here’s the lineup of guests today on The Fan:

9:20: Rob Antony, Twins assistant GM.

10:20 Gophers coach John Anderson

11:05 Twins president Dave St. Peter

11:40 Paul Hoynes, Indians beat writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

As you can see, it will be baseball intensive - except for when I talk about my Illini getting ready to dine on fresh Gopher on Thursday at Assembly Hall! We’ll take calls when we can.

Twins reliever Boof Bonser will have exploratory surgery on Wednesday in St. Petersburg to try to get to the bottom of why he’s having shoulder problems.

The surgery will be performed by Rays’ team physician Dr. Koco Eaton.

Bonser will miss at least several weeks because of the surgery - but even longer if he needs more than just a clean-up. Bonser reported shoulder soreness at the end of last season but an MRI revealed no structural damage. Rest didn’t help, as Bonser threw three times off a mound in January and still felt discomfort.

Eaton gave him a cortisone shot right before he reported for spring training - but experienced only minimal results.

“It’s disappointing,” Bonser said Tuesday morning.

That could open a door for righthanders Philip Humber or Jason Jones to make the team, if the Twins head north with 12 pitchers.

Other notes: After Glen Perkins, Joe Nathan, Jesse Crain and Bobby Keppel are on the list of pitchers for tomorrow night’s game against the Red Sox.

The catchers: Mike Redmond, Wilson Ramos and Chris Butera.

Infielders: Justin Morneau, Nick Punto, Alexi Casilla and Brian Buscher.

Joe Mauer worked out and took some swings off flip-throws in the batting cage. Things seem to be moving in the right direction. “Today was a good day,” said Mauer, who had more pep in his step on Tuesday than he did when camp first started.

I’m trying to keep track of any Juan Cruz news but have I nothing new. I’ll chime in when I do.

One last thing: I know the Twins’ trainers have been taking shots here, but how do you cure something when MRI exams show no structural damage? Even the Rays’ doctor looked at them and found nothing odd. Exploratory surgery is not an option until everyone is out of answers - and I think things got to that point this week.

And a programming note: I will fill in for Paul Allen tomorrow from 9-12 on KFAN. Twins assistant GM Rob Antony has agreed to come on during the 9 a.m, hour. It should be fun!

Twins righthander Boof Bonser just told me in the clubhouse that he’ll need surgery on his ailing right shoulder.

“They’re going to have to go in and clean it out,” he said.

Bonser said team doctors were looking the results of the MRI exam he underwent yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla., and official word should come after today’s workout.

It’s a blow for Bonser, who was trying to figure out his bullpen role. Some feel he could be late-inning guy because he can hit 94 on the gun. But the Twins might want another long reliever to go with Matt Guerrier since Jesse Crain, Luis Ayala, Craig Breslow and Jose Mijares are largely one-inning guys.

We should know more about Bonser’s situation later today. The club could always suggest - strongly - that Bonser try rehab first. But Bonser sounded convinced that he’s going under the knife.

A member of the Twins’ coaching staff has confirmed the regular season rotation.

RHP Scott Baker

LHP Francisco Liriano

RHP Kevin Slowey

LHP Glen Perkins

RHP Nick Blackburn

Perk in front of Blackie? Remember that Blackburn had offseason knee surgery. It looks like they want to be careful with him early. Rotations always can change.

 Good Night……

Update: I spoke with Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson this morning. The rotation is set up to go R-L-R-L-R, not because of concerns about Blackburn’s recovery from surgery. That is all….