Durbin gets his shot at Rochester

New Britain Rock Cats ace right-hander J.D. Durbin is on his way to Triple-A.

Durbin, the Minnesota Twins' second-round choice in the June 2000 draft, was 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA in 13 starts for the Rock Cats this season, a season that was interrupted by arthroscopic shoulder surgery May 21.

The promotion was a direct result of the Twins' trade that sent 1998 Rock Cats MVP Doug Mientkiewicz to the Boston Red Sox about 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

With Mientkiewicz's departure leaving an opening on the Minnesota roster, highly touted reliever Jesse Crain was promoted to the majors. Durbin will fill Crain's spot on the Rochester Red Wings' roster.

"It's good for him," Rock Cats manager Stan Cliburn said. "He's come back pretty strong from his surgery. His velocity is good but he's rushing his pitches. He was trying to light up that radar gun and overthrowing but he was getting his wins. He has to try and become more of a pitcher and less of a thrower and hopefully that's something he can learn in Triple-A."

Durbin, 22, known for his brash demeanor, first arrived in New Britain June 16, 2003 with catcher Joe Mauer. After the pair led the Class A Fort Myers Miracle to a first-half title in the Florida State League, they were at the forefront of the Rock Cats' torrid summer run from mediocrity to second place and an Eastern League playoff berth.

After going 9-2 with a 3.09 ERA with the Miracle for starters last year, he was 6-3 with a 3.14 ERA in 14 starts with New Britain. He was a candidate for the fifth spot in the Minnesota rotation going into spring training but was sent back to Double-A to work on his offspeed stuff.

Durbin's replacement on the Rock Cats roster has yet to be determined.

One possibility is Francisco Liriano, a highly touted 20-year-old left-hander who came to the Twins in the offseason trade that sent former Rock Cats catcher A.J. Pierzynski to San Francisco. Liriano, whose name was prominently mentioned in recent trade rumors, is 6-7 with a 4.00 ERA.

Two former Rock Cats relievers currently pitching at Fort Myers - Jannio Gutierrez and Pat Neshek - are also candidates.

Durbin is slated to pitch for Rochester Tuesday.

Rock Cats rained out

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader today, beginning at 5 p.m.

The Rock Cats return home on Monday to start a 10-game homestand with four games against Norwich. Portland follows the Navigators for a three-game set next weekend and the set closes with three against Akron.