Lew's Back, but Where's Gardy?

There’s a new face on the Twins’ bench tonight, and a familiar one missing.

Lew Ford has reported to the Twins, fresh off 10 days in Rochester, and he’ll be available for pinch-hitting duty. Josh Rabe, who said his right shoulder has been bothering him, was placed on the 15-day disabled list to make room.

Rabe’s injury is not considered serious, though it has affected his throwing, and will require a shot to help heal. That would keep him out of action for three or four days, not two weeks -- “but we don’t have four days right now,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Speaking of Gardenhire, he made that comment with his left leg propped up on his desk. The manager had his left knee operated on Friday morning, to clean up a couple decades of wear and tear. He arrived at the Metrodome around 5 p.m. and was ferried to his office in a golf cart. He won’t be in the dugout tonight -- four flights of stairs between the clubhouse and the field make that impractical -- but will be in communication with his coaches while he watches on TV from his office.

-- Phil Miller