Twins Update

• Since I last posted, the Twins finalized the sweep of the San Diego Padres by beating Greg Maddux and Josh Banks. Then they took 2 of three from the Brewers which snapped their 10 game winning streak but started a new streak in which they beat one of the best pitchers in the NL in Ben Sheets.

Wednesday's Game Ball
Carlos Gomez - Center Field
Line: 3-4, run, 2 RBI, 2 SB's
Box Score

Thursday's Game Ball
Justin Morneau - First Base
Line: 3-4, home run, 3 RBI
Box Score

Friday's Game Ball
Joe Mauer - Catcher
Line: 2-4, 2 runs, Go-Ahead HR, RBI, walk
Box Score

Saturday's Game Ball
Jason Kubel - Right Field
Line: 1-2, home run, 2 walks
Box Score

Sunday's Game Ball
Kevin Slowey - Starting Pitcher
Line: CG Shutout, 3 hits, 8 K, win
Box Score

• Michael Cuddyer has been placed on the DL with a strained tendon in his left index finger. Cuddyer was hitting .250 with 4 home runs and 34 RBI's since his return from the DL earlier this season. He missed 3 weeks in April with a lacerated/dislocated right index finger. It's not known how long he's expected to be out, but I think the Twins expect him back as soon as he's eligible.

To take his place, the Twins are calling up Denard Span who's been playing very good for the Rochester Red Wings this season. He was hitting .340/.434./.481 with 11 doubles, a triple, and 3 home runs in 156 at bats. He will likely start quite a bit in right field while Cuddyer is out, but he will also play in center and left field when needed. It's great to see Denard back with the Twins, hopefully this time he can show enough to the Twins to keep him up longer, if not for good.

• Three prominent Beloit Snappers have been placed on the DL. Chris Parmelee looks like he'll miss 4-6 weeks with a broken left wrist. Parmelee was hitting .239 with an OPS of .881. He was Beloits main run producer as he lead the team with 14 home runs and 49 RBI. His RBI total was 22 more than any other hitter on the team. In Parmelee's second go around in Beloit, his average and discipline isn't exactly where the Twins wanted it to be but his OPS is still good and he definitely has a good power stroke. The former 1st round pick was hitting .282/.393/.577 with 6 home runs and 20 RBI's in just 20 games.

Joe Benson will be missing time with a stress fracture in his lower back. He was hitting .248./.325/.380 with 16 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs and 27 RBI's. Benson was drafted in the 2nd round in 2006 and is also on his second go around in Beloit and he too has not had a great season.

Jair Fernandez will also be missing time with a right wrist injury. Fernandez was acquired by the Seattle Mariners for R.A. Dickey who was selected in the Rule V Draft by the Mariners and was given to the Twins to allow Dickey to be demoted to the minors. Fernandez was having a terrific season for the Snappers hitting .283/.333/.370 while handling the majority of the Snappers catching duties.

To replace them, the Snappers received Minnesota Native Andrew Schmiesing and Rene Leverett from Elizabethton. With Ben Revere still recovering from his tweaked hamstring, the last thing the Snappers needed was injuries to their outfield.

• Jim Mandelaro of the Democratic & Chronicle has been very disgruntled with the Twins lack of help towards the disappointing Rochester Red Wings this season. One of the things he wanted to see the team do was sign former Red Wing/Twins outfielder Josh Rabe. After tearing up the Independent League but his back pain was just too much to bare. It's unforunate, but Rabe has a great future ahead of him in Law School.