Brad Radke returned to the DL yesterday after re-injuring his groin in his first start back Thursday against Anaheim. He had to leave the game after facing less than three batters. Orlando Palmerio popped out, but Darin Erstad homered before he left the game. Jack Cressend relieved Radke mid-way through Troy Glaus' at-bat.

Radke originally pulled his groin in a May 13th start in Kansas City, leaving the game prior to the third inning. Minnesota placed him on the DL the next day. He rested and received treatment for 10 days and then started throwing bullpen sessions. The Twins were anxious for him to rejoin the team and activated him prior to Thursday's game without a rehab assignment only 16 days after he went on the DL.

I doubt Minnesota will attempt to rush his next return after this mistake. Fortunately, he's once again not torn the groin but merely pulled the muscle. I expect him to rest it again and then start a more regimented throwing schedule with a rehab start or two before he rejoins the team, so he probably won't be back in less than three weeks and longer isn't out of the question.

When Radke first went on the DL in mid-May, Minnesota called up Mike Trombley to take his roster spot. However, they were disappointed with his performance and designated the former closer for assignment when Radke returned. He had allowed 10 H and 2 HR in 4 IP with a 3:1 K:BB. Trombley won't accept a minor league assignment and will once again opt for free agency. He should find work again in some injury-depleted bullpen, though his recent poor performance won't help.

Minnesota chose to promote Johan Santana to replace Radke on the roster this time. The lefty's skills are generally good though he struggles with control in the majors, likely due to jumping directly from A Michigan in the Midwest League in 1999 to the big leagues in 2000, after the Marlins selected him second overall in the Rule 5 draft and traded him to the Twins for fellow Rule 5 pick Jared Camp in the 1999 off-season. He spent all of 2000 in the majors but missed most of the second half of last year with a partially torn flexor tendon in his left elbow.

Santana entered yesterday's game in relief of Eric Milton, who melted down in the first 3.1 innings. Milton has not pitched particularly well this season. Despite a 34:12 K:BB, he's allowed 80 H and 10 HR in 69 IP. Santana's performance allowed the Twins' bullpen to rest after a full day covering for Radke the game before. He lasted 5.1 innings with a 6:2 K:BB and only 6 hits allowed.

He opened the season starting for A Cedar Rapids in the Midwest League and compiled a 51:22 K:BB in 49.1 IP with 45 H and 3 HR allowed, before he was promoted to AAA Edmonton in the Pacific Coast League. In 48.2 IP at AAA, he allowed 37 H and 7 HR with a 75:27 K:BB. While his elevated HR/9 at the higher level are somewhat troublesome, the tougher parks in the PCL help explain the extra homers and he otherwise demonstrated good skills with impressive dominance and command.

The Twins used Tony Fiore to cover for Radke when he went on the DL in mid-May, but I expect Santana will receive the opportunity to start for them this time around. Fiore had not previously started in the majors and had also spent the majority of his recent minor league time relieving. He pitched fairly well in his two starts, allowing only 7 H and 1 HR in 10.1 IP with a 7:7 K:BB.

Rick Reed left his last start in Texas with a sore neck. He'll miss his next start, which will be picked up by Fiore. Reed received a cortisone shot to combat pain in his left shoulder blade that shoots up to his neck and in turn causes severe headaches. However, Reed reportedly suffered from this last season and improved after the shot. There's a chance that he could start Tuesday after throwing on the side yesterday.

Joe Mays remains on the disabled list and recently suffered a setback that may cause him to visit Dr. James Andrews, many pitchers' last stop before Tommy John surgery. He went on the DL with a sore elbow in late April and hasn't been able to return as quickly as the Twins would have liked. Minnesota transferred him to the 60-day DL in mid-May. To this point, tests have only shown inflammation in the elbow and no tears, but the club grows more concerned with every setback.

Matt Kinney, who entered the rotation in place of Mays, continues to have some trouble with his control and frequent home runs but has provided Minnesota with some quality innings at the bottom of the rotation. In 38.1 IP this season, he's allowed 41 H and 6 HR with a 28:20 K:BB.

Corey Koskie returned last week from his DL trip for a torn right hamstring. He might receive some extra rest days but generally appears to have recovered. The Twins sent down Casey Blake to make room for Koskie on the roster. Blake had 4 H, 1 2B, and a 2:7 BB:K for a .200 BA, .273 OBP, .250 SLG in his 20 AB before returning to AAA.

Luis Rivas remains on the disabled list, though the Twins had hoped to activate him next week. His wrist became sore during a rehab game yesterday, and he may be delayed again. Rivas' absence from the team since almost the beginning of the year has been quite irritating for the club as the struggles of fellow starting middle infielder Cristian Guzman have left Minnesota searching for help at the top of the lineup.