Nick Blackburn

The Twins took starting pitcher Nick Blackburn and infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka off the 40-man roster. Both players cleared waivers and were re-assigned to triple-A Rochester. Blackburn was 4-9 with a 7.39 ERA in 19 starts for the Twins this season. Blackburn is due $4.75 Million this season. Both players are unlikely to return to the major league team this season.

The Twins lost 8-2 in Chicago to the White Sox Wednesday afternoon and were swept in the 3-game series. Chicago scored 2 runs in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings and cruised to the win. Denard Span was 2-4 with a run scored for the Twins.

The Twins lost 5-1 at Detroit Wednesday night after both teams endured a 2 hour and 26 minute rain delay. Justin Verlander threw all 9 innings with 4 hits and 1 earned run allowed with 7 strikeouts to get the win for the Tigers. Chris Parmelee homered to account for the lone Twins run and Denard Span was 2-4 for the Twins.

The Twins reportedly agreed to a contract with 2nd overall pick Byron Buxton Monday. The 18-year old outfielder was selected in the first round (2nd overall) by the Twins in last Monday's baseball draft. Buxton is considered a 5-tool player right out of high school in Georgia. The new agreement with Buxton and the Twins is contingent on Buxton passing a physical today. Buxton is expected to report to rookie camp in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Twins downed Kansas City 4-2 Wednesday night to win the series 2 games to 1. Nick Blackburn came off the disabled list to threw 5 innings with 5 hits and 2 earned runs allowed to get the win and improve to 2-4 on the season. The Twins' bullpen threw 4 shutout innings with 2 hits allowed. Matt Capps threw a scoreless 9th inning to get the save for Minnesota. Justin Morneau was 2-4 with 2 RBIs and Ben Revere went 2-5 with 2 runs scored for the Twins.

The Twins outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6 Friday night in a game that didn't start until almost 9pm. The two teams endoured a 1 hour and 51 minute rain delay. Darin Mastroianni had 2 hits and 3 RBIs playing in just his 2nd game as a Twin. Ryan Doumit had a 2-run single and Denard Span had 2 hits and 2 runs scored for Minnesota. Nick Blackburn allowed 5 earned runs in 5 innings to get the win and improve to 1-4. Matt Capps threw a scoreless 9th inning to get the save, his 6th.

The Twins lost 4-3 in Anaheim to the Los Angeles Angels Monday night. Minnesota fell behind 4-0 before scoring 3 runs in the 8th inning but they came up short. Alexi Casilla went 3-4 with a run scored, 1 RBI and 2 stolen bases and Danny Valencia was 2-4 with 1 RBI for the Twins. Nick Blackburn threw 6 innings with 7 hits and 3 earned runs allowed to take the loss and drop to 0-3. C.J. Wilson threw 7 1/3 innings with 5 hits and 3 earned runs allowed to get the win. Former Twin Torii Hunter hit a 2-run homerun for the Angels.

The Twins lost 11-2 at home to the Boston Red Sox Tuesday night. Nick Blackburn returned to the starting rotation and was beaten badly. He allowed 8 hits and 5 earned runs in 3 innings to take the loss and drop to 0-2. Former Twin David Ortiz hit a long 2-run homerun off Blackburn in the 3rd inning and finished with 3 RBIs. Josh Beckett threw 6 innings with 2 earned runs allowed to get the win for Boston. Josh Willingham and 2 hits and 1 RBI and Denard Span was 2-4 for the Twins.

The Twins lost their home opener 5-1 to the Los Angeles Angels Monday afternoon at Target Field. Nick Blackburn allowed 5 hits and 5 earned runs in 6 innings to take the loss. C.J. Wilson allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run in 7 inning to get the win for the Angels. Josh Willingham hit a solo homerun off Wilson accounting for the lone Twins' run.

The Twins lost 9-2 to St. Louis Sunday afternoon. Former Twin Kyle Lohse threw 6 innings with 2 earned runs allowed to get the win. Brian Duensing allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run in 1 inning to take the loss. Nick Blackburn threw 5 innings with 2 earned runs and Luke Hughes was 2-3 with 2 RBIs for the Twins.