BOSTON -- An oversight on my part from earlier: Daisuke Matsuzaka had to leave his last start, April 29 against Seattle, after four innings (and four walks) because of elbow tightness.
So his ERA has been good over his past three starts (0.47), but between the elbow and the relief appearance Wednesday, the Red Sox couldn't be sure what they were going to get today.
The Twins counter with Carl Pavano, who has been hot and cold all season.
Update: Delmon Young will head to Fort Myers, Fla., today to continue his rehab from a strained oblique muscle. Dave Pruemer, the Twins assistant trainer, said Young could begin playing games Tuesday and expects his minor-league rehab stint to be brief.
Jim Thome's MRI exam showed only a small strain in his back muscle. Pruemer sounded encouraged by this and said it's plausible Thome's DL stint won't be longer than 15 days.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka remains a ways from returning. He's feeling soreness in his leg when he fields ground balls, and Manager Ron Gardenhire stressed that he wants Nishioka to have all the soreness gone before he starts playing in games.
Jose Mijares, who was sick yesterday and sent back to the team hotel, feels better today and is available to pitch.
No big update on Joe Mauer, other than that he continues to hit and throw daily at Target Field and is rebuilding his strength.
