By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — It’s the pitching matchup that Twins fans have been waiting all week to see: Liriano vs. Jimenez.

One Twins batter who won’t be in the lineup against Jimenez today is catcher Joe Mauer. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Mauer had gotten banged up by foul tips behind the plate in last night’s game (about 18 of them, he added) and over the entire homestand.

So Mauer will get the day off for the day game following the night game, but he will be available off the bench to pinch hit if needed.

Also, Gardenhire said there will be no roster move after the game. The team will head to Philadelphia with its roster as is, and they’ll evaluate Orlando Hudson during early batting practice on Friday. Hudson has been swinging left-handed but only off a tee in the cage and Gardenhire wants to see more before activating him.

Rockies (33-32)
Carlos Gonzalez, CF
Todd Helton, 1B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Ryan Spillborghs, LF
Miguel Olivo, C
Melvin Mora, 3B
Brad Hawpe, RF
Chris Iannetta, DH
Clint Barmes, 2B
Pitching: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (12-1, 1.16 ERA)

Twins

(38-27)
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick
Punto, SS
Drew Butera, C
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano
(6-3, 2.90 ERA)

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Orlando Hudson was backing swinging right-handed during batting practice today, but manager Ron Gardenhire said that Hudson took some swings left-handed in the cage before BP.

That’s a positive step for Hudson and the target date now appears to be Friday for when he might be activated off the disabled list, as Gardenhire said Hudson feels he’ll be ready at that time.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy continues to rest and undergo his rehab program for his sore left wrist. Hardy has not started swinging yet and Gardenhire said the club is unsure whether he’ll need to go out on a Minor League rehab assignment before he’ll be ready to return.

“We just have to see when he gets well,” Gardenhire said. ” I would think that he should
probably be able to go right back into it, but again, I don’t know how
many more days it’s going to be, so I can’t tell you that.”

The Rockies have recalled former Twins reliever Juan Rincon from
Triple-A Colorado Springs in time for tonight’s game. Rincon was 2-2 with a 7.25 ERA and seven saves, having allowed 18 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings, along with 20 walks and 23 strikeouts. 

Rockies (33-31)

Carlos
Gonzalez, CF
Todd Helton, 1B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Brad Hawpe, RF
Melvin Mora, 3B
Jason Giambi, DH
Seth Smith, LF
Chris Iannetta, C
Clint Barmes, 2B
Pitching: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (3-5, 4.04 ERA)

Twins

(37-27)
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick
Punto, SS
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker
(5-5, 4.81 ERA)

A
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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — After a couple days off, I’m back on the beat today and hope that you enjoyed the coverage from associate reporter Jocelyn Syrstad this weekend.

The big question today for the Twins was whether or not Orlando Hudson would be activated from the DL. The answer to that is no.

Hudson (sprained left wrist) took part in batting practice today, but he’s still only swinging right-handed. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he won’t activate Hudson until he’s ready to swing left-handed as well and there is no clear cut answer on when that might happen. So for now Hudson remains day-to-day and there is no guarantee he’ll be ready to play at all during this series with the Rockies.

Matt Tolbert is getting the start at second base tonight against the Rockies and Nick Punto is at shortstop. Gardenhire said that Trevor Plouffe has been swinging at a few more pitches out of the zone since he was recalled, but he attributes a lot of that to the advance scouts. Still with both Hudson and shortstop J.J. Hardy still out, Plouffe and third baseman Danny Valencia should continue to see plenty of opportunities in the lineup.

Rockies (33-30)
Carlos Gonzalez, CF
Todd Helton, 1B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Jason Giambi, DH
Ryan Spillborghs, RF
Seth Smith, LF
Miguel Olivo, C
Ian Stewart, 3B
Clint Barmes, 2B
Pitching: RHP Aaron Cook (2-3, 4.76 ERA)

Twins

(36-27)
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick
Punto, SS
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
(6-6, 3.92 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier