A day after initially slotting Trevor Plouffe at first base, he will play his first position back in right field. Before the All-Star break, Ron Gardenhire had said that Rochester manager Tom Nieto had told him he would be completely comfortable with putting him in a big league outfield. Plouffe has played seven games in the outfield in his professional career -- six in right and one in left.
Gardenhire was not in the clubhouse this afternoon to talk with reporters, but he will be here for the game, team officials said. In the meantime, Twins trainer Rick McWane gave us an update on the injury situations.
- Denard Span (concussion) and Jason Kubel (left foot) will both be getting on a flight tomorrow afternoon, bound for rehab assignments in Rochester. Twins trainer Rick McWane said Span was approved by Major League Baseball to go ahead and start playing in games, although the team must remain in contact with MLB about his progress and get approval again before he is reactivated. Kubel did a vigorous defensive workout in the field before the game Friday and said afterward that was all he needed to be totally confident. Kubel will DH on Sunday and Span will play centerfield.
- Scott threw a bullpen session earlier ... McWane said he looked and felt great, and he is still on schedule to start in one of the games on Monday.
- McWane also said Justin Morneau is doing great with his current program. They will keep that through the weekend and then reevaluate, he said. Right now, Morneau is on a six-week timetable for return.
1. Revere, CF
2. Casilla, 2B
3. Mauer, C
4. Cuddyer, 1B
5. Thome, DH
6. Valencia, 3B
