Terry

Mulholland

Even with Mulholland back to join J.C. Romero and maybe Rule 5 pick Ryan Rowland-Smith, the Twins are still looking for a lefty reliever. Mike Myers is a possibility.

''Just a 100,000-mile checkup,’' Mulholland said. He’ll be ready to compete for a job in spring training. He’ll probably work as a starter during camp, but he should return to a middle-relief role at the start of the season.

Mulholland isn’t expected to report to Triple-A Tacoma. It’s likely that some club will pick him up soon.

He pitched in relief yesterday, and will miss his start against the Red Sox this weekend. Kyle Lohse will oppose Bronson Arroyo Friday night with Brade Radke facing off against Derek Lowe on Saturday. Sunday will be a matchup you won’t want to miss: Johan Santana against Pedro Martinez.

Mulholland hopes to be available during the White Sox series.

Such silliness. The Diamondbacks are just going to stash Mulholland away in case they need him later. They probably won’t. He gave up a run without a recording an out in his only appearance during his three days on the active roster.

Mulholland’s ear infection has healed, but the team hasn’t developed a schedule for his return. It is likely they don’t really want him to return.

Mulholland was placed on the disabled list earlier this week with an inner-ear infection.

This is expected to be the final rehab appearance for Mulholland before the Diamondbacks activate him. He will go to the bullpen when activated and return to his role as a situational lefty and occasional mop-up man.

Mulholland wasn’t a good use of a roster spot at the start of the season, and it’s an especially bad idea to carry him now that the rest of the pen is functioning so well. The D’Backs don’t even need him as a long reliever, not with Kevin Jarvis up. He’ll probably just serve as a mop-up man.