Justin Morneau took batting practice in the indoor batting cage, instead of on the field, mostly because the Twins didn't want to make a spectacle of it, and they have a family game this morning. Regardless of where he's hitting, Morneau is finally making notable progress in his recovery from a July 7 concussion.
The Rays altered their rotation for this week's series in Tampa Bay, slotting Jeremy Hellickson to pitch Monday, and moving their other starters back. So Matt Garza will not get the chance to face his former team.
Those matchups will be: Pavano vs. Hellickson on Monday, Duensing vs. Niemann on Tuesday, Baker vs. Price on Wednesday and Slowey vs. Davis on Sunday.
First things first. The Twins will put their seven-game winning streak on the line today against Seattle, with Francisco Liriano opposing Luke French in a battle of lefthanders.
Update: Nick Blackburn is scheduled to make his first start for Class AAA Rochester on Monday.
Gardenhire said Morneau won't travel with the team to Tampa after the game and will remain in Minnesota, working out daily at Target Field. Orlando Hudson (strained oblique) will travel on the road trip. He is eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 8.
MARINERS (39-66)
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Chone Figgins, 2B
3. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
4. Russell Branyan, DH
5. Casey Kotchman, 1B
6. Josh Wilson, SS
7. Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B
8. Michael Saunders, LF
9. Rob Johnson, C
