Twins confident Justin Jones is healthy

The Twins are confident they received a healthy prospect in lefthanded pitcher Justin Jones, who was traded from the Cubs last week as part of the four-team deal that sent Doug Mientkiewicz to Boston.

Jones was considered one of the top prospects in the Cubs organization but his development has been slowed because of injuries. A tired arm caused him to be sidelined twice in 2003, and a sore elbow caused him to miss starts in April.

Jones, 19, throws in the low 90 miles-per-hour range, with potential to reach the mid-90s, and has a good curveball.

"With the Cubs, anyone who has had a little setback or has had an injury, they are limited to 75 pitches an outing until they get the go-ahead [to pitch more]," said Jim Rantz, the Twins director of minor leagues. "They protected him a little bit, but he's healthy and fine and has been in their rotation."

Jones was 3-3 with a 3.78 ERA at Class A Lansing at the time of the trade. Last season, he was 3-5, 2.28 in 16 starts at Lansing.

Jones made his first start in the Twins organization Friday for Class A Quad City, taking a 6-0 loss to the South Bend Silver Hawks. He pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs and seven hits.

Great beginnings

• Righthander Jay Rainville, two walks in 21 innings.

• Righthander Anthony Sawarzak, two walks in 32 1/3 innings.

• Righthander Kyle Waldrop, four walks in 31 innings before being promoted to Elizabethton.

"The boys did pretty good with picking these guys," Rantz said, "and they all are going to be top prospects."

System check

• The Twins released former St. Paul Academy standout T.J. Prunty, who had a 5.93 ERA at Quad City.

• Quad City righthander Bill Mauer is out because of a strained biceps muscle.

• Lefthanded reliever Jason Miller, with a 1.93 ERA at Class A Fort Myers, is out because of an elbow strain.

• Erik Lohse, brother of Twins righthander Kyle Lohse, has been promoted to Class AA New Britain and moved into the starting rotation.

• Infielder Juan Portes, selected in the 15th round of the June draft, did not play high school baseball but is batting .322 with five homers at rookie league Fort Myers. The problem: 20 errors in 30 games.