Mauer leaves game with knee problem

Joe Mauer was replaced by Jose Morales after the sixth inning on Sunday because of a jammed left knee. He is listed as day-to-day.

That's all we were told. If it was something really serious, the club would have announced that he was on the way for an exam. While that might still happen, the Twins didn't make it sound like an urgent situation. We hope to learn more about Mauer's condition until after the game.

As expected, righthander Scott Baker has been named the starter for Tuesday's game against Cleveland.

Twins manger Ron Gardenhire took things one step further, announcing that, after the Cleveland series, the Twins rotation will be juggled. Carl Pavano will swap spots with Brian Duensing in the rotation. So the altered rotation looks like this:

Francisco Liriano
Carl Pavano
Brian Duensing
Nick Blackburn
Kevin Slowey

The guess here is that Baker will start on Wed., Sept. 29. Liriano can then start on Sept, 30 and get an extra day of rest before Game One

The Twins can use off days at the end of the next two five-day cycles to put Liriano on line to start Game One of the ALDS on Wednesday, Oct 6.

Francisco Liriano has a rash that forced him to spend the night scratching but he will start today. Danny Valencia is sick but will start at third. He looked wiped out before the game today, He's on Z-Pak.

But we both got a laugh out of his next door neighbor Alexi Casilla, who has dyed his head a deep red-brown. Casilla then said he usually colors his hair blonde during the offseason, when he's playing winter ball.

Denard Span (right shoulder) and Jason Kubel (left wrist) planned to hit indoors today and could start tomorrow.

Orlando Hudson is getting a day off. Please welcome Nick Punto back to the starting lineup (applause) as he gets ready for his postseason role..

Athletics (73-74)

Bobby Cramer, LHP

Twins (89-59)

1. Ben Revere, CF
2. J.J. Hardy, SS
3. St. Joe, C
4. Cuddy, 1B
5. Del, LF
6. Thome, DH
7. Danny V., 3B
8. Jason Repko, RF
9. Nicky, 2B