Glen

Perkins

Perkins had been sidelined for most of July, ruining what slight chance he had of making it into Minnesota’s rotation this season. He could be a factor by mid-2007.

This after Matt Garza allowed one run and one hit in six innings in the first game of the doubleheader. Perkins is 2-5 with a 2.93 ERA, 45 H and 68/20 K/BB in 58 1/3 IP. He seems ready to advance to Triple-A.

Perkins, a 2004 first-round pick, is 1-3 with a 3.12 ERA, 29 H and 53/16 K/BB in 40 1/3 IP. He’s probably not ready yet, but he could be the choice the next time the Twins dip into the minors for a starting pitcher.

Perkins got the win in a 1-0 game by barely outpitching Connecticut’s Jesse Floyd, who allowed just two hits and struck out nine. Incredibly, the two pitchers entered the game a combined 5-24 this season. Perkins, now 3-11, has a 4.01 ERA and a 125/42 K/BB ratio in 111 1/3 innings. He missed time with a sore shoulder last month, but he’s progressing.

Those two outdueled Jeremy Cummings, who was coming off a no-hitter in his final regular-season start. Rochester advances to face Toledo in the Governor’s Cup Finals. Perkins, a 2004 first-round pick, had made just one previous appearance for Rochester after spending the season at Double-A New Britain.

That explains it. The full extent of the injury isn’t yet known and it’s not clear if he’ll be available Saturday, either.

Perkins missed the last two games after falling down the stairs at his home, but has been declared ready to pitch. He was officially diagnosed with a bruised left knee.

A week after experiencing left forearm discomfort, Perkins yielded one hit in the effort. Only 10 of 21 pitches were for strikes.

Perkins was already under contract for $1.55 million this season, so the new deal will cover 2013-2015. The Twins will buy out his final year of arbitration and at least his first two years of free agency. The 29-year-old southpaw posted a solid 2.48 ERA and 65/21 K/BB ratio across 61 2/3 innings this season. He’s slated to start 2012 in a set-up role, but Tyler Mason of FOXSportsNorth.com reports that the deal includes incentives if he becomes the team’s closer.

Good news. Perkins experienced some discomfort around his left forearm late last week, but an MRI on Monday revealed only inflammation and no ligament damage. He is scheduled to rejoin the team Wednesday in New York.