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With Kubel out, Ford gets chance

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: June 14, 2007 - 12:34 AM

The Twins are trying to figure out when left fielder Jason Kubel will be available.

Kubel was first expecting to be back in the lineup Tuesday, but he still felt some lingering soreness in the right knee he tweaked Saturday while chasing a fly ball. He was supposed to run before Tuesday's game but couldn't.

Kubel said after Tuesday's game that he should have been ready Wednesday. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire even planned to start Kubel in left field against Atlanta lefthander Chuck James, but Kubel again was unable to play and Lew Ford started in left.

"We're limited on where we can go right now," Gardenhire said. "That's why we put him out there for a couple days until we can get Kubel back."

Ford, who ran down some deep drives Tuesday, cashed in on the opportunity by hitting an opposite-field homer in the second inning.

Reyes back today

The Twins will activate lefthander Dennys Reyes from the 15-day disabled list after tonight's game. Reyes has been out since May 21 because of shoulder inflammation.

Even though lefthander Carmen Cali has thrown 5 1/3 scoreless innings since being called up from Class AAA Rochester, he'll likely return to the Red Wings after the game so the Twins can maintain an 11-man pitching staff heading into interleague road games next week.

"I like Cali. He did OK," Gardenhire said. "There's probably not a need for two short lefthanders right now."

Assist king

Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer racked up his 14th assist Tuesday, moving him up the Twins' single-season assists chart.

Gary Ward holds the Twins' single-season record with 24 assists in 1983. Kirby Puckett had 19 in 1985. Rich Becker had 18 in 1986. Larry Hisle (1976) and Tom Brunansky (1983) are next with 16.

Cuddyer's latest assist Tuesday was one of his best of the year. He played a ball off the wall, spun and threw to second to nail Willie Harris as he tried for a double.

Is he offended now when opponents test his arm?

"I don't get offended," he said. "I encourage it."

Cuddyer is a long shot to break the franchise record of 33 assists, set by Clyde Milan in 1911, before Web Gems were invented and scouting reports could be e-mailed.

How about Lowell?

Since the Twins appear to be looking into upgrading at third base, there might be a player in Boston who is available.

Mike Lowell entered Wednesday batting .311 with 11 homers and 47 RBI. He's in the final year of a contract paying him $9 million, but it's believed the Red Sox would be willing to eat a chunk of the salary.

At first glance, it wouldn't make sense for the Red Sox to part with Lowell, but there are some whispers that Boston would like to move Kevin Youkilis to third base and go after the Texas Rangers' Mark Teixeira.

Etc.

• Chipper Jones (bruised right hand) was activated from the 15-day disabled list, and Edgar Renteria (bruised left hand) was available Wednesday, so the Braves' lineup was significantly improved.

• The Twins-Cleveland game on Aug. 4 at the Metrodome has been picked up by Fox and been switched to a 2:55 p.m. start time.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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