Nick Blackburn worked particularly hard on leg strength during the winter, determined not to let minor surgery on his left knee affect his preparation for the 2009 season. 

--SS Nick Punto has a sore right elbow after being hit by a pitch in a March 10 game with Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. 

Nick Blackburn worked particularly hard on leg strength during the winter, determined not to let minor surgery on his left knee affect his preparation for the 2009 season. 

--SS Nick Punto has a sore right elbow after being hit by a pitch in a March 10 game with Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. 

Craig Monroe homered three times against his former team Thursday, powering the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins. 

The Twins liked the team that missed the playoffs by one game in 2008, and they are willing to bank on internal improvement by the young players to make up that margin this year. 

Nick Blackburn worked particularly hard on leg strength during the winter, determined not to let minor surgery on his left knee affect his preparation for the 2009 season. 

--C Joe Mauer's MRI revealed only inflammation in his lower back, manager Ron Gardenhire said. 

Matt Albers' bid to earn a place in Baltimore's starting rotation is probably over. 

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer will take a stronger dosage of anti-inflammatory medicine to try to hasten his recovery from a lower-back problem. 

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer will take a stronger dosage of anti-inflammatory medicine to try to hasten his recovery from a lower-back problem. 

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer will take a stronger dosage of anti-inflammatory medicine to try to hasten his recovery from a lower-back problem. 

The Netherlands stunned the Dominican Republic again and sent them packing. 

The Netherlands stunned the Dominican Republic again and sent them packing. 

The Netherlands stunned the Dominican Republic again and sent them packing.