The Twins will send Nick Blackburn to the mound today, hoping to snap their second six-game losing streak of the season.

Blackburn recorded the Twins only win in their season-opening three-game series in Toronto.

The Twins, who are 6-16 against the AL East, will be facing lefthander Jo Jo Reyes, who is winless in his past 25 starts. This will be his first game against the Twins.

It's cold and dreary at Target Field, but the forecast looks like it will dry up by evening.

Note: FSN has the telecast for the Twins, even though it's in the usual Saturday afternoon Fox (Ch. 9) window. Fox is televising the Yankees and Red Sox tonight at 6:10 p.m.

Update: Twins players have had discussions about wearing the '61 throwback uniforms for the remaining home games this season, as a tribute to Harmon Killebrew. The front office and Manager Ron Gardenhire are on board.

Jim Thome (strained oblique) could be ready to begin hitting in extended spring training games Monday. Gardy said he'd prefer to have Thome available even next weekend, when the Twins play in Arizona with no DH.

Gardenhire said Tsuyoshi Nishioka (broken left fibula) will need at least 10 days of game action before he's ready to return from the DL. The plan would likely have Nishioka start out playing games in Florida and then advance to Class AAA Rochester after a week.

Gardenhire has a sore left Achilles' tendon. "Too many trips to the mound," Gardenhire said. It's uncertain if Gardenhire or pitching coach Rick Anderson will go to the mound today for any mid-inning pitching moves.

BLUE JAYS (18-20)

1. Yunel Escobar, SS
2. Corey Patterson, LF
3. Jose Bautista, RF
4. Juan Rivera, DH
5. Aaron Hill, 2B
6. J.P. Arencibia, C
7. David Cooper, 1B
8. John McDonald, 3B
9. Rajai Davis, CF

Starting pitcher: LH Jo Jo Reyes (0-3, 5.00)

TWINS (12-24)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Trevor Plouffe, SS
3. Jason Kubel, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Danny Valencia, 3B
8. Luke Hughes, 2B
9. Rene Rivera, C

Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn (2-4, 3.95 ERA)

Target Field. First pitch: 3:10 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network