Kennys Vargas' benching lasted two days. Twins manager Paul Molitor has the 25-year-old Puerto Rican slugger back in the lineup today, but a couple things have changed. Vargas will bat seventh, the lowest he's ever been in the lineup. And he'll play first base for just the third time this year.

Being a designated hitter is difficult for young players, Molitor believes, especially during a slump, because they have so much time to stew over their failures between at-bats. He hopes manning a position will help Vargas put his 2-for-28 drought out of his mind, at least for awhile, and it has the added benefit of giving Joe Mauer a DH day in the middle of 17 straight games.

Speaking of droughts, Phil Hughes will try to end his four-game winless streak today, and for a change, he's not facing he ace of a staff. Nothing against Shane Greene, the righthander who looked plenty good in beating the Twins three weeks ago in Detroit, but Hughes at least can hope for more run support than he's received so far — two entire runs in his four starts.

Who will start this weekend remains an increasingly intriguing mystery, because Molitor said cryptically that "things are coming together" regarding the starting rotation, which currently has six pitchers and no obvious solutions, but he would not elaborate. He ruled out the possibility of going with a six-man rotation, even temporarily, because going to a six-man bullpen would risk overtaxing the relievers just a month into the season.

Molitor said he intends to consult with general manager Terry Ryan today, but for now, he's not ready to say who might be headed to the bullpen, or the minor leagues, or perhaps another rehab start. For now, Trevor May and Kyle Gibson are slated to start against the White Sox on Thursday and Friday, and the rest of the rotation is TBA.

Here are the lineups for today's noon matinee, the last time the Twins will see the Tigers for … well, two entire weeks. They return to Detroit on May 12-14.

TIGERS

Davis CF

Kinsler 2B

Cabrera 1B

V Martinez DH

JD Martinez RF

Cespedes LF

Castellanos 3B

McCann C

Romine SS

Greene RHP

TWINS

Santana SS

Dozier 2B

Mauer DH

Plouffe 3B

Arcia RF

Escobar LF

Vargas 1B

Herrmann C

Schafer CF

Hughes RHP