--RHP Scott Baker, whose shoulder was sore during an April 1 minor league game, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He might only miss one start, as the move was made retroactive to March 28. With Baker sidelined, LHP Francisco Liriano will make the Opening Day start.
--LHP Jose Mijares, who was brilliant out of the Twins' bullpen last September, was optioned to Class AAA Rochester. He allowed 11 runs in 10 innings this spring after reporting to camp overweight. --C Drew Butera quietly earned the confidence of the pitching staff, and he displayed excellent defense behind the plate. However, the son of former major-leaguer Sal Butera was optioned to Class AAA Rochester on March 31. With Joe Mauer not expected to be ready for several weeks, Jose Morales is the leading candidate to take his roster spot.
--C Joe Mauer reported progress in his efforts to rid his lower back of persistent pain but gave no hint of when he might be able to work out again, much less play. That he will miss Opening Night is a foregone conclusion. The Twins are trying to determine whether he can return within weeks or months.
--RHP Jesse Crain appears to be Ron Gardenhire's first choice as eighth-inning setup man after a near spotless training camp, but the manager will consider newcomer Luis Ayala as well. Crain did not allow a run in his first six appearances but blew up for four runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Reds on March 26. Crain was simply overthrowing, Gardenhire said in his defense that he admires "how calm (Ayala) is on the mound. ... We'll mix them both in."
--RHP Nick Blackburn will wear a lightweight brace on his left knee for at least the first month or two of the season. Blackburn had arthroscopic surgery on the knee last October and reports no new swelling after some initial worries early in camp. "It's sort of a pain to wear that thing, but the trainers think it's helping," Blackburn said.
--INF Matt Tolbert went 8-for-12 over a three-game span and began taking flyballs in the outfield at manager Ron Gardenhire's request. Tolbert already plays all four infield positions, and now that he has made some adjustments in his swing and begun hitting, it's clear the manager would like to find a roster spot for the Mississippi native. But if Gardenhire keeps 12 pitchers, as expected, Tolbert might get squeezed out.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- Consecutive appearances with at least one run allowed by LHP Jose Mijares, whose terrible spring ensured that he will open the season in Class AAA.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We like guys who can hit, but that's not what the job is about. That's hard to understand here because we have a catcher who wins batting titles. That's kind of out of whack." -- Manager Ron Gardenhire, on what he's looking for in a temporary replacement for injured C Joe Mauer, a two-time batting champion.
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