Fuentes has landed; Hudson leaves game

INJURY ALERT: Orlando Hudson did something to his right foot/ankle while trying to get back to first base in the first inning. He remained in the game - after a visit by trainer Dave Pruemer - and was forced out at second. But now Matt Tolbert has taken over at second. Stay tuned for an update.

UPDATE: Hudson has a sprained right ankle and is day to day.

New Twin Brian Fuentes has landed at Sea-Tac airport but hasn't arrived at the ballpark yet. He's listed on the lineup card and will be available today against the Mariners.

Fuentes has had his moments against right-handed hitters but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Fuentes will not be a lefty specialist. That seems to be the right way to go with the former closer.

``What this does is give us the option of giving someone like Jesse Crain a break." Gardenhire said.

The Twins enter today's game fourth in MLB with a .282 batting average with runners in scoring position and second with 273 doubles.

Forgot to mention the star-studded cast in the clubhouse after the game last night. Former Twins Chili Davis and Paul Sorrento stopped by to say hello to the staff and some players. They were with someone who was ID'd as Royce Clayton's brother. Chili looks like he can pinch hit in the ninth if needed.

I was told that former Twins spring training player Alejandro Machado was around, but I didn't see him.

I couldn't help but laugh at some of the comments yesterday. I still think the Twins boosted the bullpen significantly with Fuentes - and I still think the Twins should roll over this Mariners team. There's too big of a gap in talent to expect anything else; Yes, anything can happen in baseball - but that includes rump-kickings.

Sorry for the delay with the lineups. We were in the clubhouse on Brian Fuentes stakeout.

Twins (74-55)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Jim Thome, DH - I'm calling a home run by him today.
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Danny Valencia, 3B
9. J.J. Hardy

Nick Blackburn, RHP

Mariners (50-78)

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Chone Figgins, 2B
3. Russell Branyan. DH
4. Jose Lopez, 3B
5. Casey Kotchman, 1B
6. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
7. Ryan Langerhans, LF
8. Josh Bard, C
9. Josh Wilson, S

Doug Fister, RHP