Mauer OK after getting hit by Jones' bat

Catcher Joe Mauer just got hit with Andruw Jones' backswing. Looks like it just grazed Mauer's left arm. He didn't seem hurt at all but was bleeding slightly. Trainers wiped it down, slapped on a band-aid and play resumed.

Everyone take a deep breath : )

Desperate's Denton at the Dome

Desperate Housewives star James Denton threw out the ceremonial first pitch at tonight's game to center fielder Torii Hunter.

Twins media guru Mike Herman commented from the pressbox before the throw, as a huddle of women circled Denton down by the dugout, that every woman who works for the Twins was down on the field.

Kubel back in the lineup

Jason Kubel is back in the lineup for tonight's game against Atlanta, batting seventh and playing left field.

Dennys Reyes is available to pitch from tonight, manager Ron Gardenhire said. Reyes is rejoining a bullpen that hasn't given up a run in its last 12 innings of work.

A win tonight would mark the Twins fourth sweep of the season.

Lineups ...

Minnesota
Luis Castillo 2b
Joe Mauer c
Michael Cuddyer rf
Justin Morneau 1b
Torii Hunter cf
Mike Redmond dh
Jason Kubel lf
Nick Punto 3b
Jason Bartlett ss
Johan Santana p

Atlanta
Kelly Johnson 2b
Edgar Renteria ss
Chipper Jones dh
Andruw Jones cf
Jeff Francoeur rf
Matt Diaz lf
Jarrod Saltalamacchia 1b
Brian McCann c
Yunel Escobar 3b
Tim Hudson P

Twins will activate Reyes post-game

Manager Ron Gardenhire said the team will activate LHP Dennys Reyes from the 15-day disabled list after tonight's game, likely sending down LHP Carmen Cali to make room on the roster ... Jason Kubel is available off the bench tonight and will likely return to the lineup tomorrow.

Each player's chair had a cigar on it this afternoon, in honor of the team's two newest fathers, Carlos Silva and Juan Rincon, whose wives both gave birth to boys on Tuesday morning.

Gardenhire joked this afternoon about the record Atlanta manager Bobby Cox will tie with his next ejection -- the most ejections for one person in major league history -- "He's leery now," Gardenhire said. "When it comes time, I guarantee you he won't be leery."

And now, lineups ...

Minnesota
Luis Castillo 2B
Joe Mauer C
Michael Cuddyer RF
Justin Morneau 1B
Torii Hunter CF
Jeff Cirillo DH
Lew Ford LF
Nick Punto 3B
Jason Bartlett SS
Carlos Silva P

Atlanta
Kelly Johnson 2B
Willie Harris LF
Edgar Renteria SS
Chipper Jones DH
Andruw Jones CF
Brian McCann C
Jeff Francoeur RF
Scott Thorman 1B
Yunel Escobar 3B
Chuck James P

Good afternoon from the Metrodome ...

Just arrived at the Metrodome for tonight's game against Atlanta. The pitchers are on the field, looks like more pitcher's batting practice to get ready for the road trip to New York and Miami next week.

The pitchers love taking BP and generally make it into a contest -- relievers vs. starters. Yesterday the relievers won 6-4 (I'm not sure how the score keeping works) with Joe Nathan and Matt Guerrier's home runs leading the way.

Check back later for snippets from Gardenhire's pre-game talk and, of course, lineups.

-- Kelsie Smith

Twins/Braves lineups

Minnesota
Luis Castillo 2B
Joe Mauer C
Michael Cuddyer RF
Justin Morneau 1B
Torii Hunter CF
Mike Redmond DH
Lew Ford LF
Nick Punto 3B
Jason Bartlett SS
Kevin Slowey P

Atlanta
Kelly Johnson 2B
Willie Harris LF
Brian McCann C
Andruw Jones CF
Jeff Francoeur RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia DH
Scott Thorman 1B
Yunel Escobar SS
Pete Orr 3B
Kyle Davies P

Injuries, injuries, injuries ...

Dennys Reyes (shoulder inflammation) threw a 35-pitch simulated game Tuesday afternoon and said he has no pain in his shoulder. If Reyes comes to the park tomorrow with no soreness, manager Ron Gardenhire said the left-hander would likely be activated rather than go on a rehab assignment.

Rondell White (torn calf) will start playing in extended spring training games in the next couple days, Gardenhire said.

And Glen Perkins started his throwing program today. The process will be slow, throwing from very short distances at first.

Be back shortly with lineups ...