Joe Nathan has been removed as Twins closer. Gardy and Rick Anderson spoke with Nathan after Saturday's game and decided to put him in less stressful situations. Nathan realized that he was hurting the team by trying to close and regain his closing form. Will check in later with updates.

UPDATES: Boy what a newsy morning,

The Twins are expected to make a roster move after the game to bring up a reliever, possibly Jim Hoey. I've also heard rumblings that two relievers will be sent down, which means Anthony Swarzak could get the call too. UPDATE: Looks like it will be one reliever

Gardy acknowledged that talks have been ongoing about relievers, and mentioned Hoey and Swarzak as candidates. He also likes Carlos Gutierrez but others in the organization don't think he's ready.

My read on this is that with Nathan moved to the other side of the bullpen, Gardy wants a power arm for the late innings as well as someone who can pitch one time through the batting order. Gardy is NOT making Nathan the set-up man. He's going to the back of the bullpen to work in non-stressful situations (good luck there, eventually all relievers have to get big outs).

The manager has not been happy with relievers coming in and walking batters. You can guess which two right-handed relievers are on the hot seat because of that.

Justin Morneau is sick and unable to play today. Joe Mauer was seen walking through the clubhouse (we were unable to talk to him) but he looks thinner and more pale.

The team went to the batting cages with their two former MVP's laid out in the trainer's room, Ugh.

What a morning. I'm walking from the clubhouse to the elevator and hear an outrageous drum solo going on in the weight room from someone who knows what he's doing. It was Evan Longoria.



Twins (4-10)

1. Matt Tolbert, 2B

2. Alexi Casilla, SS

3. Jason Kubel, RF

4. Jim Thome, DH

5. Delmon Young, LF

6. Michael Cuddyer, 1B

7. Danny Valencia, 3B

8. Steve Holm, C

9. Jason Repko, CF

Pitching: Brian Duensing

Rays (6-8)

1. Sam Fuld, DH

2. Johnny Damon, LF

3. B.J. Upton, CF

4. Felipe Lopez, 3B

5. Kelly Shoppach, C

6. Ben Zobrist, RF

7. Sean Rodriguez, 2B

8. Dan Johnson, 1B

9. Elliot Johnson,SS

Jeremy Hellickson, RHP