The Twins are hopeful that Nick Blackburn will be able to make his next start, on Thursday at Yankee Stadium, after his MRI exam on his right shoulder came back looking normal, according to General Manager Terry Ryan.
"All indications are that he's going to be OK, but we're certainly going to be cautious," Ryan said.
Blackburn left Saturday's start in the sixth inning with posterior shoulder stiffness, but the Twins believe that was caused by a cramp. Blackburn reported to the clubhouse feeling OK today, with normal day-after-start soreness. The big test will come Tuesday, when Blackburn would usually go through his between-starts bullpen session.
Jason Marquis is scheduled to make his 2012 debut on Wednesday in New York.
Clete Thomas is here, and Manager Ron Gardenhire wasted little time getting him involved, starting him in right field. Thomas eventually will wear No. 36 (Joe Nathan and Jim Kaat's old number), but today, all players are wearing No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.
RANGERS (7-2)
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Michael Young, DH
6. Nelson Cruz, RF
7. David Murphy, LF
8. Mike Napoli, 1B
9. Yorvit Torrealba, C
Starting pitcher: RH Neftali Feliz (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
