Nathan to play catch, but details unknown
(Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:17:00 EDT)
The expectation is that sometime in the next two days, Twins closer Joe Nathan will pick up a baseball for the first time since suffering a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and attempt to play catch.

Twins get the best of former ace
(Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:26:00 EDT)
In their first meeting against Johan Santana since the trade, Minnesota tagged the lefty for five runs -- two on homers -- as the Twins defeated the Mets, 7-3, on Friday afternoon.

Twins' All-Decade squad boasts true stars
(Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:20:00 EDT)
To say that the decade from 2000-09 was a successful one for the Twins would be an understatement. Led by Joe Mauer at catcher, Minnesota's All-Decade team has some of the game's finest players.

Inbox: What does Hughes' future look like?
(Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:59:00 EDT)
What is Luke Hughes' future in the Twins' organization? Should Francisco Liriano be the Twins closer? Beat reporter Kelly Thesier answers these and more in the latest installment of the Twins Inbox.

Pavano feels better, more into routine
(Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:14:00 EDT)
Carl Pavano is working on improving upon what was a productive season for him in 2009. He's been able to get into a better rhythm and routine to push his body this spring.

Hughes' walk-off double lifts Twins
(Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EDT)
Jim Thome blasted his first home run as a Twin, Luke Hughes hit a walk-off double and Carl Pavano tossed five solid innings as the Twins edged the Pirates, 5-4, on Thursday.

Punto, Harris battling for third-base role
(Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:08:00 EDT)
Nick Punto and Brendan Harris have been expected to battle for the spot this spring. Manager Ron Gardenhire was hesitant to label a front-runner in the race between the pair.

Hughes homers, scores twice in loss
(Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:22:00 EDT)
Luke Hughes hit his first home run of the spring, a monster shot in the fifth inning and scored in the ninth as the Twins fell to the Rays, 5-2, on Wednesday.

Morneau eyes Thursday return to lineup
(Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:03:00 EDT)
After being sidelined since Saturday due to general soreness, mostly near his ribs, Twins slugger Justin Morneau could be back in the lineup Thursday vs. the Pirates.

Fast start a goal for wiser Baker in '10
(Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:45:00 EDT)
Once concerned with spring stats, a more mature Scott Baker is now focused on honing his craft and approach in preparation for 2010, which he may kick off as Opening Day starter.

Nathan to test elbow in 'near future'
(Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:02:00 EDT)
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday that closer Joe Nathan will test his right elbow soon, but it's not necessarily going to happen on Saturday.

Mauer picks up two hits, sits at cool .600
(Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EDT)
Joe Mauer collected two hits in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Orioles in Grapefruit League action, raising his spring average to .600.

Blackburn downplays sore right knee
(Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EDT)
Nick Blackburn is currently nursing a sore right knee and will have his start skipped on Wednesday, but he said that it's not something he feels will be a big issue.

Loon Cafe, J.D. Hoyt's join Target's menu
(Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:45:00 EDT)
The Twins announced Tuesday that they've partnered with two more Minneapolis restaurants -- the Loon Cafe and J.D. Hoyt's -- to serve some of their famous menu items at the new ballpark.

Liriano's mindset is to start for Twins
(Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:33:00 EDT)
While injured closer Joe Nathan was back in Fort Myers, Fla., Francisco Liriano was continuing an injury comeback of his own and a spring competition he hopes will finish with him as the No. 5 starter in Minnesota's rotation.

Overlooked Kubel doesn't expect spotlight
(Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:01:00 EDT)
Considering the numbers he put up last season and the lack of attention he receives, there's no question Jason Kubel is yet another overlooked member of the Twins' lineup. Still, the reserved 27-year-old doesn't mind it one bit.

Blackburn to miss next spring start
(Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:19:00 EDT)
Nick Blackburn is currently nursing a sore right knee and will likely miss his next scheduled start, manager Ron Gardenhire said before the Twins' Grapefruit League contest against the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday.

Bodley: Thome's heart still in game
(Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:12:00 EDT)
Jim Thome, in the twilight of his career, will be used mostly as a late-inning pinch-hitter for the Twins. This is Spring Training, when most everyone oozes with optimism, but the downside is if Thome's skills diminish in 2010, he might not finish the year with Minnesota.

Kubel, Liriano stand out in loss to Marlins
(Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:21:00 EDT)
Jason Kubel smoked a three-run homer during a four-run third and Francisco Liriano struck out six while walking none in the Twins' 5-4 loss to the Marlins on Monday afternoon.