By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

CLEVELAND — Third baseman Danny Valencia is back in the lineup after missing five games with a tight right hamstring.

The Twins had good news in regards to a few other injured players as well.

— Jose Mijares threw 35 pitches in a  simulated game and everything went well. The left-hander will be available out of the bullpen for Saturday’s game against the Indians.

–Left-hander Brian Fuentes’ stiff back felt great while he played catch. He’ll throw a bullpen tomorrow and the Twins will see how he feels after that.

–Jim Thome is feeling good and he was swinging in the batting cages this afternoon. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Thome should be ready to play on Saturday

–Infielder Nick Punto (strained left hamstring) has been activated from the DL. Gardenhire said he’s not sure that Punto is quite 100 percent, but he can use him as a defensive replacement in games. Punto took swings during Mijares’ simulated game as well but Gardenhire said the team will stay away from using Punto as a pinch-runner.

Twins

(83-57)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael
Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon
Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
J.J.

Hardy,
SS
Drew Butera, C

Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano (16-10, 3.52 ERA)

Indians (57-83)
Michael Brantley, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Travis Hafner, DH
Jayson Nix, 3B
Matt LaPorta, 1B
Trevor Crowe, LF
Jason Donald, 2B
Lou Marson, C

Pitching: RHP Fausto Carmona (11-14, 4.05 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier