Gardenhire: Guerrier a 'first-class guy'

The Twins' 3-1 victory over Cleveland was followed by surprising news that dampened the celebratory mood in the clubhouse Wedneday.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said that well-liked veteran Matt Guerrier would be designated for assignment and fellow righthanded reliever Ryan Pressly would be called up from Class AAA Rochester.

Guerrier had a 2.67 ERA in 26 games this year before combusting Tuesday, giving up four ninth-inning runs to the Indians to see his ERA rise to 3.86.

"A very tough moment here because Matty Guerrier means a lot to a lot of us in here in this organization, in this clubhouse," Gardenhire said. "He's a first-class guy."

Guerrier, 35, pitched for the Twins from 2004 to 2010 before departing as a free agent. Trying to come back after August elbow surgery, he signed with the Twins over the offseason, starting the season at Class AAA Rochester before getting called up May 8.

Guerrier was one of three former longtime Twins players they brought back this year, along with shortstop Jason Bartlett and outfielder Jason Kubel. Bartlett retired after appearing in only three games, and Kubel was released after hitting .224 in 45 games.

Pressly, 25, returns after spending all of last season with the Twins and all of this season at Rochester, where he had a 2.98 ERA in 35 games.

Gibson was supposed to start Wednesday, but was scratched because of back pain that occurred during his bullpen session Monday.

"Halfway through my 'pen, I threw a pitch and I felt my back tighten up," he said. "From then on, the next 12 hours it got worse and worse."

Gibson hopes to throw in the bullpen Thursday to prove he can start on Saturday. If he can't, lefthander Logan Darnell could be called up, but the opening on the 40-man roster allows them to add anyone.

The Twins, for the first time, will receive a draft pick via the competitive balance lottery.

Major League Baseball on Wednesday announced the results of the lottery, and the Twins will have the fourth pick in Comp Round B, which takes place after the second round.

The other reason: The Twins are getting revenue sharing this year for the first time since they moved into Target Field in 2010.

"The first three years we were the payer," St. Peter said. "This year we received a small amount."

The competitive balance lottery, which started in 2013, gives teams that have either one of the 10 smallest markets or the 10 smallest revenue pools extra draft picks. Unlike regular picks, competitive balance picks are allowed to be traded.

• Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw out the first pitch Wednesday.

• General Manager Terry Ryan said first baseman Joe Mauer swung in the cage as he continues to recover from a right oblique strain. Mauer has been on the disabled list since July 2.

• Top prospect Byron Buxton is still day-to-day after his right wrist was hit by a pitch Friday. The Class A Fort Myers center fielder hasn't played since the injury, but Ryan said he hopes Buxton will play Thursday. Despite the injury, Buxton earned the Florida State League player of the week title for July 14-20.