Twins designated hitter Jim Thome said he felt better after receiving an epidural Friday morning.
He's on the 15-day DL with a left quad strain but the Twins believe that the problem stemmed from his back. Thome said he felt something he had never felt before while taking a swing in Detroit. For his back to improve, ``the inflammation around my disc had to go down." Thome said.
Thome said he will know in a couple days how well the procedure worked.
Catcher Joe Mauer, in his fifth game at Class A Fort Myers, was 1-for-2 with a three-run homer, two walks and 4 RBI. He caught eight innings, the third straight game he's caught. He recently told buddy Justin Morneau that his body feels much better and he's about ready to go. (For more details about Morneau's talk with Mauer, the notebook should be online soon).
Tsuyoshi Nishioka was 2-for-4 with a RBI.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was pleased with how Anthony Swarzak saved the bullpen with six innings on Friday. But there was no hit there will be a Swarzak-for-Duensing swap in the rotation.
``You look for a bright spot, that was one," Gardenhire said. ``He protected a lot of people out there who needed a break."
Closer Matt Capps, by the way, was not going to be used tonight to give his sore wrist more healing time. He should be available Saturday.
