Justin Morneau is back in the starting lineup for the Twins after missing the past two games with a sore right foot.
He must have improved quite a bit overnight, as Monday, Manager Ron Gardenhire said Morneau might need an MRI exam today. Morneau fouled a ball off the foot in the eighth inning of Saturday's game against the Yankees.
Morneau is the DH with Joe Mauer at first base.
Update: Nick Blackburn received some good news today about his strained forearm. His MRI exam showed an entrapped nerve (caused by inflammation), but there was no tendon, ligament or muscle damage. Head trainer Rick McWane said problem should subside in a couple weeks and the Twins expect Blackburn to pitch before the end of the season.
* Tsuyoshi Nishioka (sore back/oblique) took ground balls today and is available off the bench. He's expected to take BP on the field on Wednesday.
* Scott Baker (strained flexor muscle) began his throwing program today. There's hope that he can be back on the mound for the Twins by mid-September.
ORIOLES (48-77)
1. J.J. Hardy, SS
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Adam Jones, CF
4. Vladimir Guerrero, DH
5. Matt Wieters, C
6. Mark Reynolds, 1B
7. Robert Andino, 3B
8. Nolan Reimold, LF
9. Ryan Adams, 2B
