--C Mike Redmond had a cortisone shot in his right shoulder Wednesday, and was still available only on an emergency basis on Friday. The Twins agreed to give Redmond a couple more days to see if his sore throwing arm improves, but his first disabled-list stint since 1998 appears increasingly likely.

--RHP Jesse Crain felt no soreness in his pitching shoulder after a 15-minute bullpen session on Friday, leaving one final hurdle before the relief pitcher is reinstated from the disabled list. Crain will throw again on Sunday, and if the pain doesn't reappear, manager Ron Gardenhire said he will be added to the roster on Monday or Tuesday.

--RHP Matt Guerrier needed only 12 pitches to retire six Royals on Friday, his best outing of the season and an encouraging sign for a bullpen that faces a difficult month ahead. The Twins play 30 games during May, and Guerrier has been particularly vulnerable to overuse. But after pitching just once in the previous six days, Guerrier had little trouble fooling hitters with a sharp sinker on Friday. RHP Matt Guerrier needed only 12 pitches to retire six Royals on Friday, his best outing of the season and an encouraging sign for a bullpen that faces a difficult month ahead. The Twins play 30 games during May, and Guerrier has been particularly vulnerable to overuse. But after pitching just once in the previous six days, Guerrier had little trouble fooling hitters with a sharp sinker on Friday.

--C Joe Mauer said it might take a while to become comfortable again at the plate, but "a while" turned out to be three pitches. After looking at the first two, Mauer swung at a Sidney Ponson fastball and lined it into the seats, delighting a Metrodome crowd that had given Mauer a standing ovation as he walked to the plate. Mauer missed the season's first month with an inflamed sacroiliac joint in his lower back.

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Mike Redmond (sore right shoulder) didn't play April 26-29. He expects to be ready for action May 2.

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 was activated May 1.

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.

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

LHP Jose Mijares

CATCHERS:

Joe Mauer

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