LaVelle Neal posted (http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/162227015.html)the Twins starting rotation as they come out of the All Star break:

Friday - Francisco Liriano
Saturday - Cole De Vries
Sunday - Brian Duensing
Monday - Scott Diamond
Tuesday - Sam Deduno

That's how they come out of the break. Thoughts?

What are your thoughts on how the rotation will play out over the course of the second half? Will Nick Blackburn and Liam Hendriks get back to the Twins? If so, when? How about Carl Pavano? Will any other starters get an opportunity, such as Aaron Thompson or BJ Hermsen?

I just threw up a little.

Hopefully Pavano is a waiver deal.

I'm pretty sure Hendriks will be back by early August. Look at that rotation. Those names are shudder-worthy.

You've got Scott Diamond, Trade Bait, Good Lefty Bullpen Guy, Some Other Guy, and What's His Face.

Not exactly confidence-inspiring.

I expect this revised starting rotation to last what? maybe one turn?

This is a pitching staff in flux. I expect a number of people to get opportunities over the remainder of the season -- unless, of course, the guys listed above turn in consistently good performances. And if that happens, then there isn't anything to gripe about.

Cole DeVries has already pitched more innings than he has either of last seasons.
Aaron Thompson.....OMG
Twins dont have the nuts to promote Hermsen to AAA let alone MN
Blackburn/Hendriks will be back.....Pavano eventually

Cheapest rotation money can buy.

Cheapest rotation money can buy.

Not until they trade Liriano

Get Frankie his starts vs. bad offenses. Maybe his value will go up so that the Twins can get a useful starter for the last half of this decade.

Hopefully Pavano is a waiver deal.

I'm pretty sure Hendriks will be back by early August. Look at that rotation. Those names are shudder-worthy.

You've got Scott Diamond, Trade Bait, Good Lefty Bullpen Guy, Some Other Guy, and What's His Face.

Not exactly confidence-inspiring.
The funny thing is, Scott Diamond, Some other Guy and What's his face all managed to get quality starts against the #1 ranking offense in Runs, Ave and OBP.

I can live with Liriano, Diamond and Duensing as the top 3. Twins need to find better options for the other two spots, whether that's Pavano/Walters/Hendriks or whatever. Actually, what they really need is for Blackburn to get it together and have a decent finish.

The funny thing is, Scott Diamond, Some other Guy and What's his face all managed to get quality starts against the #1 ranking offense in Runs, Ave and OBP.

Baseball is a funny sport that way.

Baseball is a funny sport that way.
Agreed. As great as it would be to see them keep that up, the sensible part of me knows that they probably won't keep going with those types of performances.

A man can dream though...

Only in America - the land of opportunity!

I predict they will trade Liriano for a PTBNL and then call up Logan Darnell from New Britain and set baseball history for the first rotation entirely beginning with "D".

Just saw this...don't think it's been posted yet. PJ Walters has been shut back down today due to shoulder inflammation after a bullpen session. He had an MRI that showed no structural damage. It doesn't sound season ending. Here's a quote from Walters,
"...I don't think I'm back at Square One or anything like that. I'll just kind of get it cranked back up. No big deal."

http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_21097012/minnesota-twins-pitcher-ryan-walters-shut-down?source=rss