Reyes might join Perkins on DL

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - The Twins placed Glen Perkins on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, as expected, and it sounded as if fellow lefthander Dennys Reyes also might be headed to the DL.

Reyes will have his sore left shoulder examined by Twins orthopedist Dr. Dan Buss on Thursday, and manager Ron Gardenhire said he anticipates Reyes will need a cortisone injection.

"That's probably going to end up putting him on the DL, too," Gardenhire said. "I've already talked to him about that.

"If we inject, it'll be another three, four days [before Reyes can pitch]."

The results of Monday's MRI exam showed a slight tear in Reyes' rotator cuff and another slight tear of his labrum. But those were old injuries.

"Something else is causing the pain," Reyes said. "I don't know what it is. They think it might be some really hard tendinitis in there. But I think whatever it is, can be resolved soon."

To replace Perkins, who has a mild muscle strain in the back of his left shoulder, the Twins promoted lefthander Carmen Cali, who had a 2.70 ERA in 12 appearances for Class AAA Rochester. Gardenhire said the Rochester staff recommended Cali ahead of lefthander Jason Miller.

"But if Reyes goes on [the DL], Miller could be the next one [promoted]," Gardenhire said.

Another option could be Jose Mijares, who is expected to be promoted from Class AA New Britain to join the Rochester bullpen.

Rotation expectations

Asked about the recent bullpen injuries, Twins General Manager Terry Ryan pointed to the starters and their inability to chew up innings.

"One of the problems you have is you're getting into your bullpen way too early," Ryan said. "If we've got problems we'll fix them."

Ryan didn't name names, but in his past four starts, Ramon Ortiz has lasted 4, 6, 1 and 41/3 innings.

Gardenhire also gave an interesting answer when asked if the team would consider using Matt Garza and Kevin Slowey to patch their bullpen holes.

"They will not go to the bullpen," Gardenhire said. "They're close to being ready to pitch up here, and if we keep struggling in our rotation, we can make a move like that, move one of those guys."

Bartlett still in pain

Jason Bartlett, who has missed the past two games because of a neck injury, will see a doctor when the Twins return to Minnesota.

The shortstop's neck has bothered him since before spring training, he said. He played through the injury but thought better of it when his right shoulder became sore as well.

"I saw a chiropractor before spring training, and she mentioned there might be some whiplash symptoms," he said. "The neck thing has been lingering, and I wonder if it's making the other thing sore."

Etc.

• The agent for Craig Wilson contacted Ryan after Wilson was released by Atlanta, but the Twins don't appear to have interest in signing the righthanded hitter. Wilson, 30, is a career .262 hitter, but he batted .172 in 54 at-bats for the Braves this season. He also is limited defensively, and defense is a big reason the Twins have clung to Lew Ford.

• Perkins, who will have his MRI Thursday, said his left arm felt better one day after he left the mound in obvious pain. "I have to get an MRI, before I'll know," he said. "But it's definitely better than I anticipated."

• Joe Mauer caught for the first time since going on the DL on May 5, when he handled Ortiz's pregame bullpen session. The batting champ has yet to run full speed, however, and he said he still feels stiffness in the strained left quadriceps muscle, making it tough to predict a return date.

• Hall of Famer Rod Carew has donated several autographed items for an auction to benefit the family of Tracy and Hilary Kruger, who were shot in their Waseca home in February. Tracy and his 14-year-old son, Alec, were killed, and Hilary is still in serious condition. For more information on the June 9 benefit, visit www.krugeraid.com.

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com