Nick Blackburn News

I can finally stop worrying how the Tigers are going to get back to .500 without winning winning consecutive games.A We are now in the midst of a full-blown 2-game winning streak.

Twins right-handed starting pitcher Nick Blackburn is scheduled to make a rehab start with the Red Wings on Tuesday, June 3. Blackburn has been on the disabled list since May 17 with a left quad strain.

RECAP: Alex Avila drove in three runs, and Prince Fielder and Brennan Boesch drove in two apiece, as Detroit won the opener of a three-game series Friday, May 25, in front of 36,688 at Target Field.

It only took a little over seven weeks and 43 games for the Twins starting rotation to almost completely turnover.

While their current roster is clearly not working, the 14-27 Minnesota Twins should be looking to make a few mid-season moves in 2012.

Remember when the Twins' projected rotation was Francisco Liriano , Scott Baker , Carl Pavano , Nick Blackburn and Jason Marquis ? Only Pavano remains -- and his shoulder isn't 100 percent.

The Twins come to Chicago to play a three-game set, and also to remind the White Sox that things could be a lot worse.

The numbers don't lie: 7 starts, 33 innings, 46 hits, 8.37 earned-run average. Oh wait! Those are Nick Blackburn's numbers.

Marquis is the latest in a long line of Twins DFA'd in 2012. Photo by Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE After a nightmarish start in Milwaukee, the Twins are designating Jason Marquis for assignment.

I am happy to report that the Twins ' latest surge has put them ahead of the 1962 Mets , who took until their 51st game of the season to get win #14. At this point of the year, the Mets were in the midst of a 17-game losing streak, so that'll take some doing for the Twins to beat.

Suddenly the Twins are winning. If you stopped watching in disgust four days ago, after they dropped to a disgusting 10-26, you have missed some surprisingly competent and exciting baseball.

The Padres shook up their middle infield Thursday by waiving second baseman Orlando Hudson and placing shortstop Jason Bartlett on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right knee.

Apparently the Twins changed their mind about placing Ryan Doumit on the disabled list with a strained calf.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Optioned RHP Nate Adcock and RHP Vin Mazzaro to Omaha. Recalled LHP Everett Teaford and RHP Louis Coleman from Omaha.

Popularity of the MLB draft is still in the growth stage, but there has been plenty of buzz surrounding the upcoming 2012 edition.

It has been such an ugly season for the starting staff. Right now, only Scott Diamond and P.J. Walters have had any consistency! P.J. Walters has only made one start too, so the critic line is still far out on him - but hey, just about anybody would be better than most of our starters at this point.

Nick Blackburn allowed six runs over two innings against the Tigers on Wednesday, raising his ERA to 8.37. And this came after Jason Marquis raised his ERA to 6.68 after Tuesday's loss to the Indians.

Only the Twins could tar an inspiring victory over the defending American League Central Division champions with postgame news that another starting pitcher was hurt and their leading run producer was headed to the disabled list.

For the Minnesota Twins to turn around their nightmare season of 2012, they will need someone to step up and take charge, both in the clubhouse and on the field.

Jamey Carroll delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning, and the Twins beat their nemeses, the Tigers, by an 11-7 final in the opener of a two-game series.