Slowey will be back vs. Chicago

Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press

Kevin Slowey

Kevin Slowey will return to start Thursday, while Scott Baker hopes to pitch Saturday.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 5, 2008 - 6:55 AM

Righthander Kevin Slowey will be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time to start Thursday in Chicago against the White Sox while the Twins try to figure out what to do with injured righthander Scott Baker.

Baker left his start Saturday after three innings, when he felt discomfort in his right groin muscle -- the second consecutive start he has left early because of the injury. He will have an MRI exam today, which is expected to shed some light on the nature of the injury.

The Twins could move Baker's next start back to Saturday, when they will need a fifth starter again. That would give Baker a week between starts to heal. They also could place Baker on the 15-day disabled list.

Slowey, working his way back from a strained triceps, pitched for Class AAA Rochester on Thursday in a rehabilitation start, giving up two runs over five innings on three hits and two walks while striking out nine.

Righthander Bobby Korecky is the likely candidate to be sent down to Rochester to make room for Slowey. If Baker is placed on the DL, someone -- lefthander Glen Perkins -- could be called up.

Perkins began the season poorly at Rochester, but the former Gophers standout has pitched better in recent starts and is 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA.

Bonser recovers

Righthander Boof Bonser gave up six runs in the first inning Sunday against Detroit but found out his team has the ability to bail him out. While he pitched five shutout innings after the first, the Twins offense eventually got untracked against starter Kenny Rogers and carried it over to the Tigers bullpen.

"That six-spot killed me,'' Bonser said, "I was just able to buckle down and throw six innings, give my team a chance. We pulled it off."

Liriano's next start

Lefthander Francisco Liriano is scheduled to make his second start tonight for Rochester since being sent to the minors when the Red Wings play at Columbus. Liriano was shaky in his first outing for Rochester, giving up four runs on five hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings Wednesday.

Two Twins move up

Washington's Ryan Zimmerman took Sunday off, ending his streak of consecutive games played at 205. That means the Twins' Delmon Young and Justin Morneau moved up on the league's active iron man list.

Atlanta's Jeff Francoeur leads with 356 consecutive games played. Young is second, with 195. Philadelphia's Ryan Howard is third, at 146. Morneau is fourth, with 116.

Etc.

• Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez returned to the starting lineup Sunday, two days after getting hit in the head with a throw while stealing second base.

• Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after the game that he's "shocked" by his team's inconsistent, "tough to watch" offense and that he will shake up the lineup tonight against Boston. He gave no hint what the change would be. "I think you'll find it pretty drastic," he said.

• Rochester outfielder Darnell McDonald has been named Twins minor league player of the week after batting .433 with 15 RBI.

• The Tigers have been swept in a three-game series three times this season.

• Tigers third basemen are tied for the major league lead with nine errors. Carlos Guillen's two-out error in the seventh inning helped the Twins rally.

• Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer went 0-for-4, ending an eight-game hitting streak.

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