By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — After taking a few days off, I’m back at Target Field for the Indians series. The sun has been shining and temperatures once again hit the mid-70s today. Yes, you couldn’t ask for better baseball weather.

I’ll admit that the new ballpark is even having an effect on us writers. Covering games inside the Metrodome and missing the beautiful spring and summer weather in Minnesota took its toll over the course of a season. So now being here at Target Field on another fantastic day with the sun shining as the team takes BP, it certainly is a treat.

I got a chance to catch up with Mike Redmond today as he makes his return to the Twin Cities as a member of the Indians. Redmond’s humor and demeanor is certainly missed inside the Twins clubhouse and everyone seemed happy to get a chance to see him again. I’ll have more from Redmond later on the site.

As for news, Nick Punto (sore groin muscle)_ is not back in the lineup although he said it’s feeling much better. He was expected to go through all the pre-game activities today and could make his return to the lineup as soon as tomorrow.

Pat Neshek’s right middle finger (strained flexor tendon) is still a little sore so he didn’t throw today. But it’s feeling much better than it was so manager Ron Gardenhire said the club will wait to see how he’s feeling in the next couple days. The team is trying to give Neshek some extra time to let the finger heal.

Right-hander Nick Blackburn had an MRI on his sore right elbow today, but he said he was feeling better and planned to play some catch today.

Indians (6-6)
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Grady Sizemore, CF
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Travis Hafner, DH
Jhonny Peralta, 3B
Russell Branyan, 1B
Austin Kearns, LF
Luis Valbuena, 2B
Lou Marson, C
Pitching: RHP Justin Masterson

Twins

(9-4)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Brendan Harris,
3B
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey

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