Jones finally gets chance to pitch

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

It has been almost a year since the Twins received lefthanded pitcher Justin Jones from the Cubs as part of a four-team deal that sent first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to Boston. After battling injuries, he has started to show what he can do.

Jones, 20, threw seven scoreless innings on Thursday to improve to 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA in five starts at Class A Fort Myers. Jones' fastball ranged from 86 to 93 miles an hour, three mph faster than last season. He also throws a good curveball and changeup.

Jones' season is just beginning after he dealt with elbow problems last season. He was slowed by a sore shoulder last year after joining the organization and went 0-2 with a 5.31 ERA in seven games before being shut down.

"I'm feeling good for the kid," said Jim Rantz, Twins' director of minor leagues. "He's back healthy."

Kubel progresses

Outfielder Jason Kubel, the Twins' top outfield prospect, continues to make steady progress after tearing three ligaments in his left knee last October while playing in an Arizona Fall League game.

Twins team physician John Steubs said Kubel has started taking batting practice and can perform some running drills. The organization hopes that Kubel will be able to play in some instructional league games this fall, then prepare for 2006 spring training.

Kubel's comeback should not be taken for granted. He completely tore his anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament, and faces several tests before he can be considered a threat for the 2006 roster.

Kubel, 23, batted .377 at Class AA New Britain, .343 at Class AAA Rochester and .300 for the Twins last season. He made the postseason roster.

Elizabethton posts 14-game win streak

The Twins are excited about their rookie league team at Elizabethton, Tenn., which recently had a 14-game winning streak, swept three consecutive doubleheaders and was 24-5 overall heading into the weekend.

One player to watch is second baseman Juan Portes, who is batting .359 with six homers and 26 RBI through 26 games. Portes, 19, left the organization earlier in the year because of family pressures but changed his mind and returned.

System check

Outfielder Danny Santiesteban is out for a few days after breaking a pinkie finger while diving back into a base. Santiesteban is off to a promising start for the Twins' rookie league team at Fort Myers.

Second baseman Ben Pattee, after batting .205 at Class AA New Britain, was released. Pattee is a former Gophers star.