Worth noting

• Right-hander Nick Blackburn, who is coming off right wrist surgery, made his first start of the year for Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday after making two outings for Double-A New Britain. The sinkerballer gave up six runs on 10 hits over five innings, but remains an option to rejoin the Twins later this season if he pitches well enough in Rochester.

"I think we view it now as he's back to the level he was when he got hurt and now he has to get to this level," Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said. "So we'll see how he pitches there and if we need a guy and there's an opportunity and he's the best guy, we won't be afraid to run him up there."

• Starting pitchers Cole De Vries, Pedro Hernandez and Vance Worley are all currently on the 7-day Minor League disabled list at Triple-A Rochester and are rehabbing at the club's Spring Training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., with rehab coordinator Chad Jackson. There's no timetable for the return of any of three pitchers yet, according to Antony.

"None of the three are ready to throw or get back out there, so we just sent them to Fort Myers to work with Chad," Antony said.

• Right-hander Alex Wimmers, Minnesota's first-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, is making good progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery in August. He's made three appearances in the Florida Gulf League, posting a 2.45 ERA with nine strikeouts and two walks over 7 1/3 innings. He's expected to move up to Class A Advanced Fort Myers soon if all goes to plan.

"The goal is that in a few starts he'll be ready to start with the Miracle," Antony said. "Hopefully, he can join that club and carry his weight."