Durbin will make first MLB start tonight

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

CHICAGO -- The Twins will get a look at the future tonight when righthander J.D. Durbin starts against the Indians.

Durbin, a September call-up, is 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA in three appearances, with a mid-90s fastball and solid breaking pitch. Durbin has no chance of making the playoff roster, but is considered a candidate for the 2005 rotation.

"That's why we brought him up here," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We said we wanted to give him a start."

Durbin was 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA at Class AA New Britain and 3-2, 4.54 at Class AAA Rochester. His progress was delayed by minor shoulder surgery while at New Britain.

The Twins considered starting righthander Grant Balfour and let him go two or three innings, but since he pitched Tuesday, they decided to go with Durbin, who has the stamina to throw 100 pitches tonight.