Bartlett begins rehab stint

Jason Bartlett, who has missed six weeks because of a broken right wrist, was activated from the disabled list Friday and began a rehabilitation assignment with the Twins' Gulf Coast League affiliate.

The Twins hoped their Class AAA shortstop would be ready to return to the lineup in Rochester, N.Y., by mid-July, and it appears he is on schedule.

"Provided he doesn't have any setbacks, he should be back in a week," said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor league operations.

Bartlett, who was acquired in a trade that sent outfielder Brian Buchanan to the San Diego Padres in July 2002, was off to a great start in his first season of Class AAA baseball.

The 24-year-old prospect, who was hitting .339 with a .412 on-base percentage, has some pop in his bat, having hit eight doubles, four triples and a home run.

Around the time he was injured, Bartlett was in line to receive his first taste of the major leagues when the Twins needed a middle infielder because of injuries.

Staying consistent: Twins starting pitching prospect Scott Baker has handled the competition at both Class A and AA this season.

Baker is 4-3 with a 2.52 earned-run average since being promoted to New Britain, Conn., from Fort Myers, Fla. He was among four Twins prospects selected to play in the Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday.

Pitcher J.D. Durbin, second baseman Luis Maza and outfielder Kevin West will join Baker on the all-star roster.

Baker, a second-round draft pick from Oklahoma State last summer, also was an all-star for Fort Myers, where he was 4-2 with a 2.40 ERA in seven starts before being promoted.

Baker has had success throwing all four of his pitches — fastball, changeup, curveball and slider.

"Baker has all the starter traits that you would want," said Rob Antony, the Twins' director of baseball operations. "He has command and control. He has endurance and durability. He has a mix of pitches, and he throws them for strikes. He's definitely a guy we look at becoming a big-league starter."

Baker's fastball has topped out at 94 mph this season, and he can throw strikes. He has struck out 95 and walked 18.

On the mend: Durbin has made two starts for New Britain after missing two months following shoulder surgery.

There had been speculation that he might make his major league debut this season, but the Twins just want the right-hander to rebuild his arm strength. Durbin hit 96 mph in his most recent start.

He will be on a 75-pitch count the next time he takes the mound.

All-star outings: Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel will compete in the Futures Game in Houston on Monday.

Morneau, a Canadian, will play for the World Team, and Kubel will play for the U.S. Team.

Morneau also will be in the Class AAA All-Star Game on Wednesday in Pawtucket, R.I., where he will be joined by pitchers Jesse Crain and Dave Gassner.

Arm to watch: Relief pitcher Frank Mata, who came out of the Twins' Venezuelan Baseball Academy, is showing high velocity in the first two weeks of play in rookie ball for Elizabethton, Tenn.

Mata is hitting 98 mph. He made one start but appears more comfortable as a reliever, which is where his future likely will be.