--RHP Nick Blackburn felt light-headed and nauseous halfway through his seven-inning stint on Wednesday but fought through the illness to earn his second straight victory. Blackburn allowed eight hits, seven of them singles, over seven innings and retired nine straight at one point. "I felt like I was on a boat out in a lake," Blackburn said. "But I wasn't going to come out."

--RHP Jesse Crain will throw bullpen sessions Friday and Sunday, "and then we'll make a decision" on when the reliever will be activated from the disabled list, manager Ron Gardenhire said. Crain has been sidelined by soreness behind his pitching shoulder for two weeks but said the pain has largely subsided. He is eligible to be activated Sunday.

--C Mike Redmond had an MRI on his throwing shoulder, but no damage was found. Still, the Twins are keeping Joe Mauer's primary backup out of the lineup this week, and he could go on the disabled list when Mauer returns on Friday. Redmond, who owns a 34 percent caught-stealing percentage in his 12-year career, has yet to throw out a potential base-stealer, in 10 chances, this year.

--1B Justin Morneau missed his sixth home run of the season by just a couple of feet on the right-field baggie on Wednesday but was prouder of his eight-pitch first-inning walk off Rays starter Scott Kazmir. "Guys like that, they tend to settle in after an inning or two and put it on cruise control," Morneau said. "We didn't let him get comfortable." Added manager Ron Gardenhire, "He's our run-producer, but sometimes it's more effective to take what they give you. He's smart enough to know that."

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Mike Redmond (right shoulder) is being held out of the lineup this week because he has had such trouble throwing out base stealers. He might go on the disabled list May 1 when C Joe Mauer is activated.

RHP Jesse Crain (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 18. He will throw bullpen sessions May 1 and 3.

C Joe Mauer (inflamed sacroiliac joint in his lower back) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Fort Myers on April 24, and he will be activated May 1.

RHP Boof Bonser (torn right labrum and rotator cuff surgery in February 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He is out for the season.

RHP Pat Neshek (right elbow surgery) went on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 21. He will remain in Florida all summer and targets a return by next spring.

ROTATION:

LHP Francisco Liriano

RHP Nick Blackburn

RHP Kevin Slowey

LHP Glen Perkins

RHP Scott Baker

BULLPEN:

RHP Joe Nathan (closer)

RHP Matt Guerrier

LHP Craig Breslow

RHP Luis Ayala

RHP R.A. Dickey

RHP Juan Morillo

LHP Jose Mijares

CATCHERS:

Mike Redmond

Jose Morales

INFIELDERS:

1B Justin Morneau

2B Alexi Casilla

SS Nick Punto

3B Joe Crede

INF Brian Buscher

INF Brendan Harris

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Delmon Young

CF Denard Span

RF Michael Cuddyer

DH Jason Kubel

OF Carlos Gomez