Minnesota Twins reliever Juan Rincon was offered an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, giving the struggling right-hander three days to accept or decline. 

Minnesota Twins reliever Juan Rincon was offered an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, giving the struggling right-hander three days to accept or decline. 

Chipper's pursuit of . 

MEDICAL WATCH: SS Nick Punto (inflamed left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list June 6, less than a week after he was activated from a DL stint caused by the same ailment. 

The Twins snapped a season-high six game losing streak Wednesday, thanks to a five-run third inning and shutdown pitching from Jesse Crain, but as the game -- and with it the streak -- ended, manager Ron Gardenhire was most grateful for one simple thing. 

--RHP Juan Rincon has a stiff neck that made him unavailable for Tuesday's game in Cleveland, manager Ron Gardenhire said. 

Livan Hernandez has pitched in 365 regular-season games during a successful career that's about to span 13 seasons. 

It wasn't perfectly drawn, but Minnesota's first win in a week looked like a masterpiece to the Twins. 

Justin Morneau drove in three runs and Jason Kubel hit a homer to help the Minnesota Twins defeat the Cleveland Indians 8-5, snapping a six-game losing streak Wednesday night. 

Nothing has been going right for Minnesota lately, and a matchup against a pitcher that has dominated the Twins could make it difficult for them to halt their troubles. 

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How long will it take for Buster Posey to make it to the majors with the Giants? Scout. 

MEDICAL WATCH: 2B Alexi Casilla (sore hamstring, knee) was scratched from the starting lineup June 8. 

MEDICAL WATCH: 2B Alexi Casilla (sore hamstring, knee) was scratched from the starting lineup June 8. 

The Twins held a lead going into the seventh inning Monday, but poor pitching combined with Chicago's hot bats brought on a fifth-straight Minnesota loss and a White Sox sweep in this four-game series.