By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

DETROIT — The Twins are a little banged up as they head into the series finale with the Tigers today trying to avoid a sweep.

Manager Ron Gardenhire is among the walking wounded. Gardenhire was feeling better on Sunday after getting hit in the right ear by a thrown baseball during batting practice on Saturday. Gardenhire’s ear is still not pretty but he will be managing the game today.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy has a swollen left knee and he is scheduled to be checked out by the doctor today. Hardy said he’s not sure how he injured his knee. He said he didn’t feel anything bother him during Saturday’s game but he woke up to a swollen knee on Sunday.

Denard Span fouled a ball off his right foot in his final at-bat on Saturday. He said he woke up with his foot feeling very sore, “almost fell out of bed,” he said. He was getting treatment on the foot and was not int he lineup..

Jim Thome’s back is still sore and he said that he has a knot in the left side of his back. He said he first felt something after Tuesday night’s clinching game. He seems to be a little
concerned, although the hope is that they’ll be able to get his back feeling better soon.

Jason Repko is still out with bruised right thumb after getting hit with a pitch last night.

As for Mauer, Gardenhire said that it’s possible that he could return to the lineup in Kansas City. If that’s the case, Mauer will probably be the DH. Gardenhire stressed that they just want to see the catcher healthy before he’s back behind the plate.

Twins

(92-62)

Ben Revere, CF

Orlando Hudson, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jose Morales, 1B
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Nick Punto, SS

Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing

(10-2, 2.19 ERA)

Tigers

(79-75)

Austin Jackson, CF
Casper Wells, RF
Ryan Raburn, LF
Miguel
Cabrera, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, DH
Brandon Inge, 3B
Scott Sizemore, 2B
Ramon Santiago, SS
Gerald Laird, C

Pitching: RHP Rick Porcello

(9-11, 5.22 ERA)

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