Anthony Swarzak will replace injured Twins righthander Nick Blackburn in the starting rotation, Manager Ron Gardenhire said after Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Yankees.
Postgame: Swarzak to replace injured Blackburn in rotation
Swarzak has made five starts but has been toiling in long relief.
August 21, 2011 at 10:24PM
Blackburn was diagnosed with a right lateral forearm strain and will be re-evaluated Monday. With his right hand facing down, Blackburn pointed to the top of his right forearm, describing where he felt what he called a "sharp" pain.
"It's a big chunk of muscle," he said. "It's not anything that's in the tendons or anything like that, so I think that's pretty good."
Swarzak pitched three innings of relief Friday and retired all eight batters he faced Sunday after relieving Blackburn. Swarzak is 3-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 games this year, including 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA in five starts.
Gardenhire said there will be a roster move Monday, so Blackburn is likely headed to the DL, with a reliever coming up from Class AAA Rochester.
The value of the Twins has grown exponentially in 40 years. The price of the Wolves nearly doubled in three years. The increases have put club ownership out of reach for even ‘minor billionaires.’
