The Twins have decided to start Brian Duensing rather than Francisco Liriano during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. Duensing has made three relief appearances since recovering from his oblique injury, while Liriano has appeared just once since coming back from his shoulder ailment, so the Twins felt Duensing would be better prepared for the start. Duensing, 9-14, could be the team's last chance at having a 10-game winner, as they've never not have a single double-digit winner in a full season.

Brian Duensing returned to action on Wednesday September 14.

Brian Duensing (oblique) had a successful throwing session Friday and will throw again on Sunday. Duensing could be available out of the bullpen early next week, though we would presume that he would eventually rejoin the rotation if he's healthy. The left-hander has been nursing a mild right oblique strain over the last week.

Brian Duensing (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday afternoon. If it goes well, Duensing could be cleared to return to the Twins' rotation in about a week. He's been sidelined since Saturday because of a mild right oblique strain.

Brian Duensing is hoping that his right oblique strain is just a day-to-day injury. It's highly unlikely, as oblique strains generally cost players a minimum of three weeks of action. We'd be shocked if Duensing was able to make his next start. It's not clear at this point who might fill in for him.

Brian Duensing left Thursday's game against the Angels after suffering a right oblique strain. Duensing allowed five earned runs in 1 1/3 innings before exiting. The right-hander is likely to be skipped on his next turn through the starting rotation and may even need to miss multiple weeks of action.

Brian Duensing allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks in six innings of work on Sunday, improving to 9-13 in Minnesota's 11-4 win over the Tigers. He struck out four. The quality start was just Duensing's third in eight outings. Miscast as a starter thanks to his ineffectiveness against right-handed hitters (they entered today batting .300 against him for his career), Duensing will almost certainly be moved back to the bullpen in 2012.

Brian Duensing got shelled by the Orioles on Tuesday evening, surrendering seven runs on nine hits in just two innings of a Twins loss at home. Duensing has proved time and again this season that he's not cut out for the starting rotation, and tonight might finally be the outing that sends him to the bullpen. If it's not, he'll take an ugly 5.12 ERA and 1.52 WHIP into his Sunday start against the Tigers.

Brian Duensing wasn't fooling the Yankees hitters Thursday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and a walk over five innings of work. Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher and Andruw Jones all took Duensing deep, which wasn't a surprise given that the left-hander has struggled this season and throughout his career to retire right-handed batters. Duensing has been successful in spots this year but has been more bad than good lately and now holds a 6.26 ERA in seven starts after the All-Star break. He'll try to bounce back next week against the Orioles.

Brian Duensing beat the Rangers by allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings on Wednesday. He gave up seven hits and a walk and struck out six. Duensing was horrific in May, posting a 8.76 ERA in six outings, but he's been really solid outside of that. He'll enter next week's game against the Angels with a 4.35 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.