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By A Daily Update By Our Staffers

Last update: March 24, 2007 - 8:14 PM

Bartlett bruises two fingers

As if watching Carlos Silva struggle wasn't disconcerting enough for the Twins on Saturday, they watched starting shortstop Jason Bartlett slump to the ground in pain.

Bartlett took a line drive from Pirates slugger Brad Eldred off his right hand, prompting a visit from trainer Rick McWane and manager Ron Gardenhire.

"It was a rocket that about killed my shortstop," Gardenhire said.

Bartlett got up, made a few practice tosses and stayed in to finish the inning. But Gardenhire sent Trevor Plouffe to pinch hit for Bartlett the next half-inning.

Bartlett, who did not have X-rays, was diagnosed with bruised fingers -- the middle and ring fingers. He was pulled from today's trip to Clearwater against the Phillies but said he could return Monday.

"It's just a bruise, guys," he said. "I could have played through it, if I had to. It's just a little tight, a little bruise. I told Gardy I could go [today]. He said, 'Make sure it's fine, come back tomorrow and throw the ball around.' "

VAVRA RESTS

Twins hitting coach Joe Vavra went to a hospital again Friday after becoming nauseous with the effects of a concussion he suffered Wednesday in a freak accident.

Doctors took a CT scan Friday, and Vavra was cleared to leave the hospital but ordered to rest.

He needed more than a dozen stitches Wednesday when a circular batting weight flew off Luis Castillo's bat and struck him near the right ear.

Several people who saw the incident said Vavra was lucky his injury wasn't more serious, and Vavra is having trouble hearing out of the ear.

After returning from the hospital Wednesday, Vavra went right back to work with hitters in the batting cage. He kept working until he got sick Friday while sitting on a boat with the other coaches.

ETC.

• The Twins are down to 34 active players in camp now, after sending pitcher Glen Perkins to Class AAA Rochester and placing three others on the disabled list.

The Twins placed Lew Ford (knee) and Alejandro Machado (shoulder) on the 15-day DL and put Francisco Liriano (elbow) on the 60-day DL.

• Lefthanded reliever Randy Choate declined his minor league assignment, choosing free agency, in a move that wasn't a surprise coming from a major league veteran.

• Lefthander Dennys Reyes pitched two perfect innings, needing just 23 pitches, in a minor league appearance Saturday.

WHO'S HOT

Mike Venafro pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning, keeping his ERA at 0.00 over nine innings this spring.

WHO'S NOT

After giving up nine runs on 11 hits Saturday, Silva has now given up 20 earned runs on 29 hits over 161/3 innings this spring.

WHO'S NEXT

Ramon Ortiz, who has posted a 0.75 ERA in four spring starts, pitches for the Twins today in Clearwater against the Phillies. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.

JOE CHRISTENSEN