Trade request Ayala's last straw

The Twins were not happy with Luis Ayala's request for a trade after not being given the eighth inning role.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: June 24, 2009 - 7:34 AM

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MILWAUKEE - As if the Twins weren't frustrated enough with Luis Ayala's pitching, the reliever helped force his way off the team by requesting a trade three weeks ago, Manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday.

"He wanted an eighth-inning role; that's why he signed here," Gardenhire said. "His thoughts were if we gave him the ball in that eighth inning, he'd be able to do the job. My thoughts are, 'If you're not getting them out, you're not going to pitch in the eighth inning.' We're trying to win, so there's your difference."

The Twins designated Ayala for assignment Monday, when they promoted righthander Bobby Keppel from Class AAA Rochester. Ayala, who notched nine saves for the Mets last season, came to the Twins on a one-year, $1.3 million deal and posted a 4.18 ERA in 28 appearances.

The first three times the Twins trusted Ayala with a seventh-inning lead, he wound up with blown saves.

"When you walk into my office and tell me you don't like your role -- and he talked about his contract for next year -- you lose me right there," Gardenhire said. "I don't deal with that. We're talking about winning now."

The Twins have nine more days to either trade or waive Ayala, and there were indications the Pirates have expressed interest.

Rehab scare for Span

Denard Span, who is eligible to return from the disabled list Thursday, has proven he's recovered from his inner-ear infection, but he got a scare during Tuesday night's rehab game for Rochester.

Span got hit with a pitch in his left palm in his final plate appearance. He remained in the game and stole second base but was later removed for a pinch hitter.

Span, who went 2-for-6 in his two scheduled rehab games, and with the palm stiffening up, he was removed for precautionary reasons. Gardenhire said he didn't expect this to change the plan of activating Span on Thursday.

Morneau returns

Justin Morneau returned to the lineup after missing Sunday's game because of general soreness. Morneau said "general soreness" was the right term for his ailment because "there's no injury or anything; just time for a day off."

He had played 319 consecutive games before Sunday but didn't mind seeing baseball's second-longest active streak coming to an end.

"It's not like I'm going to catch Cal Ripken anyway," Morneau said of the man who played 2,632 games in a row. "Play every day until I'm 42 -- I don't see that happening. Sometimes we need a day off, and that was a good day for a day off."

Cover subject

Joe Mauer is this week's Sports Illustrated cover story, highlighting his chances of becoming the majors' first .400 hitter since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Mauer also graced the magazine's cover on Aug. 7, 2006, before he won the first of his two American League batting titles.

Etc.

• Nick Punto returned to the lineup after missing Sunday's game because of bruised ribs but left in the seventh inning with more cramping in the rib cage. Gardenhire said he'd be re-evaluated Wednesday.

• Jason Kubel, who left Sunday's game after the third inning with flu symptoms, was out of the lineup again with what the team called "general illness."

"He threw up [Sunday]," Gardenhire said, "and that fateful word, a little 'dizzy' [Tuesday], so we'll see."

• The Brewers placed pitcher Dave Bush on the 15-day disabled list with a micro tear in his right triceps muscle. Mike Burns will be recalled from Class AAA Nashville to pitch Thursday against the Twins.

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