Sorry this is late. Had a minor emergency.

Signs continue to point toward Francisco Liriano starting on Sunday in Kansas City. My guess is that it will be official on Friday.

Denard Span looked and sounded like his old self today. He told manager Ron Gardenhire he’s available to pinch hit or be a late defensive substitute. Signs point to him returning to the starting lineup on Friday.

Funny stuff before the game. White Sox GM Kenny Williams met with the media and told them that his team will go back to taking infield before games, which very few teams do these days. I don’t know if more  infield solves all the problems in the Windy City. But Williams is a very determined man….

There are some indications that one trait the Sox would like to have from the Twins is mental toughness. Is mental toughness a big edge for the Twins? At least they still have a shot at the postseason while the Sox played themselves out of the race. The Twins deserve some credit for not giving up.

Lineups

Twins (78-73)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brendan Harris, DH
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Pitching: Brian Duensing, LHP

White Sox (73-79)

1. Jayson Nix, 2B
2. Gordon Beckham, 3B
3. A.J., C
4. P.K., 1B
5. Alexei Ramirez, SS
6. Jermaine Dye, RF
7. Carlos Quentin, LF
8. Alex Rios, CF
9. Tyler Flowers, DH

Pitching: Mark Buehrle, LHP

Denard Span is not in today’s lineup as he recovers from being hit in the head on Monday. He had appeared in every game since June 25 after coming off the disabled list. He had started every game since July 21.

Carlos Gomez will see if he has another cycle against the White Sox in him, as he’s leading off and playing in center. Stayed tuned for updates later.

Update:  Here are a bunch of pitching matchups:

at Kansas City

Friday: Carl Pavano vs Robinson Tejada
Saturday; Scott Baker vs Lenny DiNardo
Sunday: Jeff Manship vs Zack Greinke (first meeting of 2009)

at Detroit

Monday: Nick Blackburn vs Rick Porcello
Tuesday: Brian Duensing vs Justin Verlander
Wednesday: Carl Pavano vs Nate Robertson
Thursday: Scott Baker vs Eddie  Bonine

 Lineup

Twins (77-73)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brendan Harris, DH
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Pitching: Jeff Manship

White Sox (73-78)

1. Scott Podsednik, CF
2. Gordon Beckham, 3B
3. A.J. Pierzynski, C
4. Paul Konerko, 1B
5. Mark Kotsay, DH
6. Alexei Ramirez, SS
7. Carlos Quentin, LF
8. Chris Getz, 2B
9. Alex Rios, RF

John Danks, LHP

Joe C. is pounding out a blog entry right next to me. We were a pretty good team tonight. I had to file a story by 11 p.m. but got a few extra minutes, which was enough for Joe to feed me some quotes from the clubhouse. Teamwork at its best.

The one thing that struck me was that Morneau usually battles through pain and says nothing about it, but he eventually realized something was different this time.

“Most of time have a little aching annoying pain, this was a little sharper,” he said. “Swing and miss and follow through and finish a swing.”

The debate will rage on about how much his back limited him - and for how long. He batted .201 after the All-Star break and was 7-for-70 (.100) after Aug. 15.

This coincides with the dizziness he battled in August. He took himself out of a Aug. 17 game in Texas and didn’t return until Aug. 24.

So when was the last time he was at all systems go? One thing is for sure: Dude was messed up.

Couple other notes:

Joe Mauer had his 23rd three-hit game of the season.

Delmon Young turned 24 on Monday. By the way, Gardy doesn’t have to worry about whom he should start in the outfield now. Young and Carlos Gomez will get all the at-bats they deserve.

Cuddyer’s homer was the 100th of his career.

Jason Kubel has four career pinch hit homers, three this season.

Sorry this is late. Gardy’s session ran long, then I had a session with my baseball editor, the dangerous Dennis Brackin.

Francisco Liriano threw in the bullpen before the game and felt great. He told pitching coach Rick Anderson that his arm feels better than it did in spring training.

No word on when Glen Perkins will pitch for Class AAA Rochester.

A lot of talk about Jose Morales before the game. Gardy said Morales’ defense, his throwing and footwork, has improved some but he still has work to do. Gardy added that in a pinch - like an extra-inning game when the bench is empty, Morales could play in the field. That won’t happen very often.

So it’s no surprise that Mike Redmond is catching today while Joe Mauer is the DH. Gardy said Mauer will get a full day off sometime during the next road trip.

The Twins are facing Mark Buehrle for the fifth time this season. Buehrle won the first two meetings but the Twins scored 13 runs off him in the next two meetings.  Red Dog, by the way, is batting .457 against Buehrle.

To get Jim Souhan off my back, I’m mentioning here that he can be read on Twitter @SouhanStrib

Lineups

White Sox (64-69)

1. Scott Podsednik, DH
2. Gordon Beckham, 3B
3. Paul Konerko, 1B
4. Jermaine Dye, RF
5. Carlos Quentin, LF
6. Alexei Ramirez, SS
7. Alex Rios, CF
8. Jayson Nix, 2B
9. Ramon Castro, C

Pitching: Mark Buehrle, LHP

Twins (67-65)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5, Jason Kubel. LF
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Brendan Harris, 3B
8. Mike Redmond, C
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Pitching: Brian Duensing, LHP

 ROSTER MOVES

After the game, the Twins placed third baseman Joe Crede on the 15-day DL because his back is going to need a few more days of rest. But Twins manager Ron Gardenhire added that Crede was going to have a second epidural. The first shot went into the top of the problem. The next one will go in the other side.

And Crede wasn’t moving all the great as we saw him leave out the players’ entrance to the clubhouse while we waited to be allowed in.

Catcher Jose Morales was called up to replace Crede. Morales was 3 for 4 on Thursday to raise his average to .329 at Class AAA Rochester.

The Twins also sent righthander Armando Gabino back to Rochester. This will clear space on the major league roster for the arrival of Ron Mahay, which is expected to be announced Saturday. No word on what 40-man move they will make.

TUESDAY’S STARTER

Gardenhire hinted strongly that righthander Jeff Manship will get his first-ever major league start on Tuesday against the White Sox.

That, of course, could change if the Twins, ahem, acquire another pitcher before then.

Monday will be an interesting day, with waivers expiring on Rich Harden and Brad Penny. I think the Twins have a way better chance at landing Penny. Carl Pavano, his former Florida teammate, apparently likes it here and would make it easy for Penny to fit in.

One scout at the game tonight did say that Penny is better suited for the National League.

ABOUT RAUCH

Twins General Manager Bill Smith pointed out that new Twin Jon Rauch led the majors in appearances over the last three years.

Rauch also is set to make $2.9 million next season, so he’ll be in the bullpen mix.

“It helps,” Smith said, “We’re pleased about that. We’re glad to have him the rest of this year and next year.”

That also tips their hand a little about what the expect from righthander Pat Neshek next year - nothing.

Neshek hasn’t pitched since May of 2008 because of elbow problems. Club officials have told me that the safe route is to not expect Neshek to be available until he proves he’s available. By not counting on him, there’s no pressure  on him to rush back.

PERK UPDATE

Lefthander Glen Perkins will throw an inning for the Gulf Coast League Twins on Saturday as he works his way back from shoulder problems. The Twins are going to be patient with Perkins too, to make sure there’s no more setbacks.

FINALLY…

When Joe Mauer threw out Elvis Andrus with a perfect throw in the eighth inning, I swear I heard Mauer yell. “Silly rabbit! Trix are for kids!”

O.K. I made that up…..