Minnesota Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn took a positive step forward on Sunday in his recovery from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss a start. Phil Mackey of ESPN 1500 reports Blackburn now expects to return to the starting rotation on Tuesday.
Nick Blackburn threw an "all-out" bullpen today and "doesn't feel a thing" in his shoulder, Ron Gardenhire tells @1500ESPN. Will start Tues.
— Phil Mackey (@PMac21) April 22, 2012
The right-handed Blackburn (0-1, 5.56 ERA) left the mound with stiffness in his shoulder in the sixth inning of last Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers. The injury put a damper on what had been a solid start against the Rangers up until that point. Texas went on to win the game and Blackburn missed his next start.
If Blackburn avoids any further set backs and starts on Tuesday he will face the Boston Red Sox in the middle game of a three-game series at Target Field.
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