THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

LHP Scott Diamond (12-8, 3.64 ERA) vs. LHP Drew Smyly (4-3, 4.24)

Saturday, 3:10 p.m. • Ch. 9, 1500-AM

RHP P.J. Walters (2-4, 5.88) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (16-8, 2.72)

Sunday, 12:10 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Liam Hendriks (1-8, 6.09) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-6, 3.95)

TWINS UPDATE

RHP Samuel Deduno, who was pulled in the second inning Wednesday, had more tests Thursday for his left eye inflammation, and General Manager Terry Ryan said he might have more of an update Friday. ... Diamond could get two more starts, including the season finale next Wednesday in Toronto, but he already has thrown 1951/3 innings this year, including 342/3 for Class AAA Rochester. Last year, he threw 162 innings between Class AAA and the majors.

TIGERS UPDATE

The Tigers scratched RHP Max Scherzer's from Friday's start because of a strained right shoulder. Scherzer, whose 228 strikeouts are second in the AL to Verlander's 231, is 6-1 with a 1.77 ERA in his past nine starts and might not pitch again until the postseason -- if Detroit makes it -- so this is a big blow. ... Joe Mauer went 5-for-8 in the first two games at Detroit last weekend, but he went 0-for-5 in the last game, including 0-for-2 against Smyly.

JOE CHRISTENSEN