Guardado back home at Dome

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: September 6, 2008 - 12:17 AM

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Eddie Guardado returned to the Metrodome on Friday for the first time since getting traded back to the Twins from Texas on Aug. 25.

Guardado had allowed 10 of the previous 13 batters he faced to reach base, but manager Ron Gardenhire was quick to mention his leadership.

After taking Tuesday's loss in Toronto, Guardado addressed the team.

"He was a man," Gardenhire said. "He stood up and said, 'I lost this ballgame.' And that's why we brought him over here. He's been there, he's done it, and hopefully he'll get out there and locate the ball a little better and get some people out for us."

Tuesday was the first time since Guardado arrived when the Twins seemed to beat themselves.

"I just told the guys I will never have an excuse for how I do, good or bad," Guardado said. "I told them 28 or 29 teams would love to be where we are right now. So we should enjoy this."

Well-wishes for Quentin

Twins closer Joe Nathan took no joy from the news that White Sox left fielder Carlos Quentin will have surgery Monday to repair a broken left wrist.

"I feel bad for him," Nathan said. "You'd like to see him finish off a really good season. Ask any one of us, we'd much rather try to beat them at full strength."

An MVP candidate who is batting .288 with 36 home runs and 100 RBI, Quentin is likely lost for the season. Nathan, Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer got to know him at the All-Star Game.

"We wish him the best," Nathan said. "Hopefully, he'll have a speedy recovery, but it will definitely help us out not having that guy in the lineup the way he's been swinging the bat."

Cuddyer update

Michael Cuddyer took swings and played catch for the first time since breaking his left foot Aug. 8.

"I can throw, and I can swing," he said. "I just can't run."

Cuddyer said he hopes the foot feels well enough to run in about seven to 10 days. He remains optimistic that he will be able to play before the regular season ends Sept. 28.

With Denard Span entrenched in right field, Cuddyer said he's not focused on what role he plays; he just wants to contribute.

Bass traded

The Twins traded pitcher Brian Bass to the Orioles for a player to be determined. Bass went 3-4 with a 4.87 ERA in 44 relief appearances for the Twins before being sent to Class AAA Rochester in late August.

Bass didn't figure into the Twins' plans for next season, but he might get to start for the injury-depleted Orioles. In return, the Twins likely will get a player from the low minors.

Brewers sign Lamb

After being released by the Twins this week, Mike Lamb signed with the Brewers, who needed depth at third base with Russell Branyan lost to injury.

The Twins will still pay the bulk of Lamb's two-year, $6.8 million contract. He batted .233 with one homer and 32 RBI in 81 games for Minnesota.

Mijares joins Twins

Lefthanded reliever Jose Mijares joined the Twins from Class AA New Britain after a paperwork issue kept him from joining the club in Toronto. Mijares fractured his left elbow in a January car crash in Venezuela.

"After what happened [in the crash], to make the big leagues this year is definitely good," he said in words translated from Spanish by fellow lefty Dennys Reyes.

Staff writer La Velle E. Neal III contributed to this report.