Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Slowey called up, will start Friday

The Twins have called up right-handed pitcher Kevin Slowey from Class AAA Rochester. Red Wings manager Stan Cliburn announced the move after the team's 7-6 win over Richmond on Tuesday night.

Slowey, ranked the Twins No. 3 prospect by Baseball America, will leave for Minnesota Wednesday afternoon and make his major league debut on Friday, starting for the Twins in Oakland.

For Rochester, Slowey went 6-2 with an International League best 1.54 earned run average. He struck out 57 batters, walked only five and held opposing hitters to a .200 average.

Gibson out with "medical condition"

Twins media guru Mike Herman just told reporters that Greg Gibson is absent because of a medical condition, according to Major League Baseball. Gibson likely won't return for tomorrow's game either. MLB told Herman that Gibson's absence has "nothing" to do with Monday's incident.

Hmm ... interpret that as you like.

Umpire Gibson gone

Umpire Greg Gibson, who was at first base for Monday's game and was the target of Ron Gardenhire's tirade, is not with the umpire crew tonight. No word yet on why Gibson was gone.

Yesterday when the Twins dugout was yelling toward first base and at A.J. Pierzynski after Justin Morneau said Pierzynski stepped on the first baseman's foot, Gibson looked over to Minnesota's dugout and delivered a throat-slashing motion. That incensed Gardenhire, who said the motion "got the Oklahoma up in me."

Check back for an update on Gibson's absence.

The spike: Day two

I listened in on Ozzie Guillen's pre-game talk today. The White Sox manager said he doesn't think A.J. Pierzynski intentionally stepped on Justin Morneau's foot yesterday. He did say, however, that he sent the Twins a message afterward - if there is a problem, take care of it on the field.

Certainly sounds tough, but it Guillen went on to say there are two ways to handle that type of situation: forget about it, or fight, and Morneau, obviously, did the latter. He also mentioned that he didn't really like the way Minnesota's bench was yelling and pointing at Pierzynksi after the incident.

It does seem that tonight will be quiet, and Ron Gardenhire said the whole thing is over and forgotten. You never know, though, with these teams. Check in with us later tonight. If something interesting happens, we'll let you know about it.

Oh, and Joe Mauer has shaved. Don't get excited, though. He said the beard was just getting too uncomfortable.

Finally, lineups ...

Minnesota
Luis Castillo 2B
Nick Punto 3B
Michael Cuddyer RF
Justin Morneau 1B
Torii Hunter CF
Mike Redmond C
Jeff Cirillo DH
Jason Kubel LF
Jason Bartlett SS
Boof Bonser P

Chicago
Darin Erstad CF
Alex Cintron 2B
Jim Thome DH
Jermaine Dye RF
Paul Konerko 1B
A.J. Pierzynski C
Joe Crede 3B
Rob Mackowiak LF
Juan Uribe SS
John Danks P

- Kelsie Smith