Slowey to start next Tuesday

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: August 28, 2007 - 12:27 AM

CLEVELAND - The Twins initially tabbed righthander Kevin Slowey to be called up from Class AAA Rochester on Friday to start the second of two games against Kansas City.

Slowey, 10-4 with a 1.74 ERA at Rochester, will now start next Tuesday because righthander Scott Baker has assured the club that he will return Wednesday in time to prepare for his scheduled start Friday.

Baker is in Louisiana with his wife, Leann, and newborn son, Easton. Easton was born five weeks premature Friday. Baker returned to the club Saturday without throwing in the bullpen between starts and was not sharp despite picking up a victory at Baltimore on Sunday.

The top priority is making sure Easton is doing well. The Twins understood the situation and were prepared to call Slowey up to pitch Friday, which would have required a roster move. That won't be necessary now.

Baker seemed intent on returning to the club Wednesday when he spoke with reporters after his start Sunday.

"So far, so good. He's perfect," Baker said of Easton. "If everything is going well, I'll be back by Wednesday and make my start [Friday]."

With the major leagues' Sept. 1 roster expansion to 40 players arriving Saturday, the Twins won't have to make room to call up Slowey.

Righthander Matt Garza, pitching on five days' rest, is scheduled to start the first game on Friday.

No other talks

Word that the Twins approached Torii Hunter about opening contract negotiations suggests the club might try to address its many contract issues sooner than later.

But the club has not been in contact recently with agents for closer Joe Nathan or lefthander Johan Santana. The Twins hold a $6 million option on Nathan's contract for 2008, while Santana will earn $13.25 million next season in the final year of his deal.

Both remain interested in extensions with the club.

Reyes gets a shot

A MRI done on lefthander Dennys Reyes' elbow showed no structural damage. He was given a cortisone shot and will rest the elbow for a few days before trying to throw.

Reyes, placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, has battled a sore elbow for a couple of weeks after banging it on a chair in the bullpen.

The inexperienced Carmen Cali is the only lefty in the bullpen, but has had three scoreless outings.

Mauer update

Joe Mauer said his sore left hamstring felt a little better Monday, but he's not close to returning to the lineup. He spent pre-game in the trainers' room and did some pool exercises.

"All he is is Kirk Gibson, waiting to pinch hit," Gardenhire said.

Etc.

• A delegation from the Twins' gameday operations staff was in Cleveland on Monday to observe the workings of the Indians' scoreboard, one of the best in the game. The group is gathering information to help with the scoreboard in the Twins stadium scheduled to open in 2010.

• Lefthander Glen Perkins, dealing with soreness during his comeback from a strained muscle near his shoulder, threw in the bullpen Sunday with no problems and will start for Class AA New Britain on Thursday.

• The Twins will have seven players on the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League this year: Pitchers Nick Blackburn, Brian Duensing, Ryan Mullins and Anthony Swarzak; shortstop Trevor Plouffe, catcher Drew Butera and third baseman Dave Winfree. Games begin Oct. 9.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com