Not that anyone has forgotten, but it became really clear when Gene Glynn walked into the clubhouse this morning how many Twins have spent time in the minor leagues this season. Glynn, manager of the Rochester Red Wings, arrived today to serve as an extra coach on the Twins' bench for the final two weeks, and when he showed up, he was mobbed by a dozen or so Twins players. And no wonder: 18 players on the current roster spent significant time playing for Glynn this year.

Glynn will leave with the Twins on their road trip to Chicago and Oakland after the game, but Joe Mauer won't be on that flight. After some speculation about whether the All-Star catcher might be healthy enough to travel, the Twins have decided he's not ready yet to return from the concussion he suffered four weeks ago Monday.

Mauer could join the team in Oakland, manager Ron Gardenhire suggested, and he insisted that Mauer will play again this year once doctors clear him. "He's not happy sitting in the clubhouse," Gardenhire said. "He wants to swing the bat."

Somebody needs to for this team. The Twins haven't scored in the first two games of the series with Tampa Bay, and Cy Young lefthander David Price will attempt to extend Minnesota's scoreless streak, which now extends to 19 innings. Gardenhire has chosen to go with the lefthanded hitting Chris Parmelee at first base rather than the righthanded Chris Colabello, but neither has been a good option against lefties this year. Parmelee is batting .167 with a .278 slugging average against lefthanders, Colabello just .179 with a .282 slugging.