Roa in danger of losing spot

BY GORDON WITTENMYER
Pioneer Press

CHICAGO — Though Wednesday's loss didn't have much bearing on playoff standing — the Twins lost no ground in their race for home-field advantage because AL West-leading Oakland also lost — several subplots with postseason implications played out late in the game.

Reliever Joe Roa, who gave up the winning hit with one out in the ninth after a leadoff single and a one-out walk, was involved in the most significant subplot.

If the Twins decide to change their playoff roster, such as adding a hard-throwing short reliever like Jesse Crain, Roa's status could be in jeopardy. He hasn't pitched well this month, and didn't help himself when given a chance to show something Wednesday.

"I'm just not getting it done right now," said Roa, whose strength and mechanics seem as sound as they have been all season. "I don't know if this is something you go through, and I'm just going through it now, or if it's something I'm overlooking... . It's a real bad time."

Crain and Grant Balfour, the two others in the mix with Roa for what could be two playoff-roster spots, drew praise from manager Ron Gardenhire for their pitching Wednesday night.

"We're just putting them out there and letting them pitch, and we'll see what's going to help us the most," Gardenhire said of the final roster decisions.

Cuddyer OK: Twins utility player Michael Cuddyer learned Wednesday the neck pain that has sidelined him the past two days is caused by a slightly bulging disk between vertebrae in his upper back — almost a best-case diagnosis.

"The doctor said on a scale of one to 10, it's a one," said Cuddyer, who began treating the injury with anti-inflammatory medication Wednesday and is expected to return to the lineup during this weekend's series in Cleveland.

"It's actually better today," he said. "I feel all my fingers. I should be available (today)."

The diagnosis was made after a magnetic resonance imaging test Wednesday morning.

"We'll give it a couple days, let the pills take effect and go from there," Gardenhire said.

Durbin tapped: Highly regarded pitching prospect J.D. Durbin got the call to make his first major league start tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Cleveland.

Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson had toyed with the possibility of starting Balfour and allowing him to pitch two innings to help him get back on track after he missed much of September because of a sore shoulder.

But Balfour pitched an inning Tuesday night and looked good enough to scrap that plan and go with the right-hander, who is expected to vie for a spot in the Twins' rotation next spring. Durbin, who had minor shoulder surgery this season, went 7-3 with a 3.24 earned run average in 20 combined starts at Class AA New Britain and AAA Rochester before making his major league debut in relief Sept. 8.

"It'll be easier than coming out of the bullpen because I'll be able to go on my schedule that I know, and that'll make it more comfortable," he said. "But I'll probably have a hard time sleeping tonight."

Tonight's spot in the rotation opened when Brad Radke was moved to Saturday to give him extra rest and align his schedule for a Game 2 playoff start.

Briefly: First baseman Justin Morneau's sore left hand was well enough for him to play Wednesday, but Gardenhire said he wanted to give him another day or two off to make sure the bruise has ample time to heal. Morneau, who had a cortisone shot Sunday, is expected to take batting practice today and, if he fares well, rejoin the lineup Friday.

Because of all the time he missed recently because of a high ankle sprain, third baseman Corey Koskie likely will get more playing time over the final 1 1/2 weeks of the regular season than the rest of the regulars.