FORT MYERS, FLA. -- With the news that Joe Nathan will undergo season-ending elbow surgery, it's now official that the Twins need to find a replacement.

Manager Ron Gardenhire has said it's tough to simulate the ninth inning of a regular season game during spring training, of course, but the team is making evaluations each day.

Jose Mijares, one candidate to fill the closer's job, is scheduled to pitch in relief today, as the Twins face the Tampa Bay Rays at Hammond Stadium. It's a split-squad game for the Rays, but the Twins are trotting out most of their horses.

Notes: Nick Blackburn will start in a minor-league game today, down the street at the Twins' spring training complex. He said his sore right knee definitely feels better.

The Twins also made four cuts this morning, optioning Jeff Manship, Brian Dinkelman, Chris Parmalee and Toby Gardenhire to the minors. They now have 38 players in camp, including 17 pitchers.

RAYS

1. Matt Joyce, DH

2. Carl Crawford, LF

3. Ben Zobrist, RF

4. B.J. Upton, CF

5. Hank Blalock, 1B

6. Dan Johnson, 3B

7. Reid Brignac, SS

8. Elliot Johnson, 2B

9. Alvin Colina, C

Scheduled pitchers: Wade Davis, Heath Phillips, Dale Thayer.

TWINS

1. Denard Span, CF

2. Orlando Hudson, 2B

3. Joe Mauer, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Michael Cuddyer, RF

6. Jim Thome, DH

7. Delmon Young, LF

8. J.J. Hardy, SS

9. Nick Punto, 3B

Scheduled pitchers: Scott Baker, Jose Mijares, Glen Perkins, Clay Condrey.

Hammond Stadium. First pitch: 12:05 p.m. (Central). TV: Ch. 29 (WFTC). Twins Radio Network