Jacque

Jones

Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters that he sat out Jones “so he can relax. There comes a time when he’s putting too much pressure on himself”. The Twins have plenty of players who will be happy to play this evening in Jones’ place.

Jones will be available, but since he could be fatigued, the Twins might start Jason Kubel in his place. The decision would be made easier by Jones’ 2-for-22 lifetime mark against Mike Mussina. Jones is going to have to return to California on Thursday off day for his father’s funeral, so he has a very trying schedule on top of what is already an emotional time.

Jones made $4.35 million and Rivas earned $1.2 million last season. Neither seems likely to respond well to anything short of a raise. Jones would likely ask for at least $6 million in arbitration.

That’s not going to work. Unless there’s a late trade to be worked out, Jones is probably going to be non-tendered. The Braves and Orioles are believed to be interested.

The Twins probably won’t risk going to arbitration with Jones, but if he’s willing to accept around $5 million or so per season, perhaps a multiyear deal could be worked out. Jones just finished up a two-year, $7.1 million contract.

Gardenhire, who has the final say, said: ''He felt better [Wednesday]. He’s thinking real soon. And I’m thinking to give him more time. He goes out and runs around [before games] and feels better, then I’ll give him one more day and then get him in maybe by the weekend.’' Jones, who pinch-hit yesterday, is day-to-day.

Jones will play right field exclusively in the playoffs. ''When you get there, you play,’' manager Ron Gardenhire said.

There was never any chance of Peavy being dealt, but Eaton might have been a possibility. “If I did that, then I would be opening up another hole I’d need to fill,” Padres GM Kevin Towers said. “If they wanted to do a deal for prospects, then we could have a match.” Smart non-move by Towers. If the Twins don’t like what the Padres are offering for Jones, they could try to send him to Arizona, Anaheim or Los Angeles.

Jones has played in every Twins’ contest, and with tough lefty Mark Mulder on the mound today, and manager Ron Gardenhire believes it is a good time to get Jones some much needed rest.

The Twins want to be certain Jones’ groin won’t continue to be a problem. When he returns, Corey Koskie could go on the DL, or Lew Ford could be optioned to Triple-A Rochester.