UPDATE: The release has been released. Kyle Gibson and Caleb Thielbar have been optioned to Class AAA Rochester. Anthony Slama, catchers Kyle Knudson and Danny Lehmann and infielder James Beresford have been assigned to the minor league camp.

Kyle Gibson's comeback from Tommy John surgery will take place at Class AAA Rochester.

The righthander was one of several players cut from camp on Thursday as the tough decisions begin for the Twins. Gibson gave up a run over two innings in a relief appearance on Wednesday against Baltimore - his second straight poor outing. And the fact that he came in out of the bullpen was a sign that he had fallen behind the other starters in camp.

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan was asked at the beginning of camp about Gibson's innings limit in his first full season after elbow surgery in 2011. ``Let's see if he makes the team first,'' Ryan cautioned.

True, the Twins didn't have to worry about Gibson's innings - on the major league level. The former first-round pick has a 9.00 ERA in eight innings of work. The caution flag went up last weekend against Philadelphia when he threw three wild pitches in one inning.

righthanded reliever Anthony Slama and lefthander Caleb Thielbar also were cut from camp on Thursday. And the Twins plan to announce more cuts within the next hour or so.

I know Thielbar fans - from Randolph, MN to Brookings, SD and points elsewhere - will be bummed out. But he should get his shot sometime this season.

Gibson's exit from the competition is good news for righthander Cole De Vries, who was on the outside looking in when camp started but has been a man on a mission since the games started. De Vries has made four appearances, tossing seven scoreless innings.



Red Sox

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

2. Daniel Nava, LF

3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

4. Mike Napoli, 1B

5. Will Middlebrooks, 3B

6. Lyle Overbay, DH

7. Jonny Gomes, RF

8. David Bass, CF

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Ryan Dempster, RHP

Twins

1. Ray Olmedo, 3B

2. Jamey Carroll, 2B

3. Josh Willingham, LF

4. Justin Morneau, DH

5 .Chris Parmelee, 1B

6. Joe Benson, CF

7. Oswaldo Arcia, RF

8. Eric Fryer, C

9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Pitching: Mike Pelfrey, RHP

