Before I get into the return of some healing pitchers, an update on top pitching prospect Kyle Gibson.

Gibson will miss his start on Wednesday because of soreness near that pesky flexor muscle area near his elbow. Because the flexor is near the ulnar collateral ligament - Tommy John territory - it can be a reason to be alarmed. But the Twins are convinced that Gibson will only need to miss one start.

And Gibson, in a text message on Tuesday, wrote, ``I will be missing my start on wed and should be back on schedule after that."

Gibson has failed to pitch longer than 5.0 innings in five straight starts and has given up 16 earned runs over his last 14 innings. He still projects as a top prospect because of his very good sinker and slider and willingness to change speeds.

The Twins hoped Gibson would throw 160-165 innings this year after he threw 152 last season. That might be tough. He'll have about a month left in the minor league season (Rochester is tied for the worst record in the International League and won't make the playoffs). He's thrown 95.1 innings so far and might get only six more starts.

A WIMMERS SIGHTING

Alex Wimmers, the Twins' first-round pick in 2010, is back on the mound after battling control issues, issues so bad he had to confer with local sports psychotherapist Rick Aberman.

Wimmers began the season with Class A Fort Myers, but in his season debut he walked six and threw three wild pitches. It was learned at the time that he had struggled with command during spring training. He was pulled from the rotation and spent several weeks working through his problems at the Twins' facility in Fort Myers, Fla.

Wimmers returned to the mound on July 17 with a scoreless inning. He gave up two hits and a walk in his next outing. But he walked four on Saturday in his most recent outing, giving up two earned runs.

But the Twins are in baby steps mode with Wimmers, who was one of the best pitchers in college during his final year at Ohio State.

BROMBERG IS BACK

Righthander David Bromberg missed two months after a fractured forearm after being hit with a line drive in the forearm while at Class AA New Britain.

He's working his way back while pitching for the Gulf Coast League rookie team. He's given up five earned runs over five innings in three outings since his return and will need time to build up arm strength. UPDATE: Bromberg is headed back to New Britain to start in an upcoming doubleheader/

BASHORE IS BACK

Lefthander Matt Bashore has a 4.26 ERA at Elizabethon in eight games, three of them starts. His career with the Twins is just getting started.

Bashore was selected in the supplemental round in 2009 and made one appearance for E-Town. He didn't pitch at all in 2010 because of Tommy John surgery - his second Tommy John surgery. So he's starting at square one, as the Twins wait and see if he regains the stuff and command that made him so coveted out of the University of Indiana.

SYSTEM CHECK

  • Righthander Liam Hendricks was promoted to Rochester to make a spot start but did so well that the Twins will leave him there and see how he handles the jump in class.
  • Twins officials are increasingly confident that Miguel Angel Sano can stick at third base. His arm and mobility at the position has been impressive. After a slow start,. Sano is batting .279 with 6 homers and 18 RBI in 34 games. Over his last ten games, he's batting .324 with three homers a 1.134 OPS.
  • Outfield prospect Angel Morales is back after recovering from elbow surgery. He's playing for the Gulf Coast League Twins for now but should return to Fort Myers before the season ends. Morales has played in three games,and hit a three-run homer on Monday. UPDATE: Morales has been sent to Fort Myers and Ramon Santana released,
  • Infielder Steve Singleton, who was released by the Twins a week ago, has signed with the Phillies organization.