Cristian

Guzman

King talked with Twins GM Terry Ryan yesterday and wasn’t optimistic that Minnesota would match the offer from the mystery team. We’re guessing it’s the White Sox making the proposal, but we have nothing to back that up. According to the Washington Post, the Expos are also quite interested in Guzman.

Guzman has gone 8-for-16 with two triples in three games leading off. Mientkiewicz has gone 6-for-12 with five RBI hitting second. Regardless, manager Ron Gardenhire plans to return Jones to the top spot, with Guzman hitting second, when Jones returns to the lineup today or tomorrow.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said the chronic swelling isn’t serious, but he needs to give Guzman a periodic rest from the Metrodome turf.

Guzman has had shoulder problems in the past and might be limited again at some point. That would leave the Twins in quite a bind, as Nick Punto is the top candidate to back him up. They might have to rush Jason Bartlett to the majors if Guzman goes down for any length of time.

Chris Gomez and Denny Hocking will fill in for him.

Guzman has been out since twisting his back in Saturday’s game.

Guzman started at shortstop on Friday night and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire chose to give Guzman the day off against tough lefthander Randy Johnson. Nick Punto started at shortstop in his place and went 1-for-4. The Twins are facing lefthander Jimmy Gobble tonight, so Guzman may sit out again.

He has missed the Twins’ last six games with back spasms.

Well, it would almost be impossible for anything to hurt his swing at this point. ''It looks like he has more of a plan when he goes up there,’' manager Frank Robinson said. ''He’s not guessing, like he was earlier. He’s taking much, much better swings.’' He is now 7 for his last 17 and the tiny spurt raised his average all the way ''up to .193.’' ''I feel good,’' he said. ''I think it’s getting better.’' That’s probably not what Washington had in mind when they decided to drop $16.8 million on him.