The Twins are engaged in "the due-diligence phase on Daniel Bard," according to Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500. Minnesota, of course, employs Daniel's brother Luke in the farm system. Bard, who was designated for assignment by Boston on Sunday, has posted a 6.27 ERA over 60 1/3 big league innings the past two seasons, but chances are that some team will take a chance on a 28-year-old who logged a 2.88 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 197 innings between 2009-2011.

Red Sox designated RHP Daniel Bard for assignment. The move was made after he walked 10 batters over 2 1/3 innings during his recent rehab assignment. Bard at one time looked like the Red Sox' closer of the future, but he had a disastrous turn in the team's rotation in 2012 and has never been able to recover. However, there's probably a good chance someone will make a claim on him in hopes of harnessing his big arm.

Daniel Bard (abdomen) walked five of the six batters he faced Thursday in the Gulf Coast League. Bard looked sharp while throwing a scoreless inning in his rehab debut in the GCL on Monday afternoon, but he's back to his old struggles. The right-hander threw two wild pitches and allowed three steals on Thursday. He is nowhere close to rejoining the Red Sox.

Daniel Bard (abdomen) threw a scoreless inning of relief on Monday afternoon in the Gulf Coast League. Bard walked the first batter he faced in the fourth inning and then gave up a single, but he worked around that threat. The 28-year-old right-hander has been sidelined for three months with an abdominal strain. He's hoping to get promoted to the Red Sox in September.

Daniel Bard (abdomen) is expected to begin pitching in minor league games by the end of this week. Bard, who's been out since May with a severe abdominal strain, recently progressed to mound work at the Red Sox' spring training complex and is almost ready to test himself against live hitters. The right-hander is aiming to join the Boston bullpen at some point in September.

Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated Friday that Daniel Bard is fully recovered from his abdominal strain and could soon return to game action at Double-A Portland. The 28-year-old right-hander has had another very disappointing season, registering a 6.39 ERA and horrendous 2.37 WHIP over 12 2/3 innings at Double-A. That includes a mind-boggling 6/17 K/BB ratio. He's a long way from contributing at the major league level.

Daniel Bard has been placed on the disabled list at Double-A Portland with a strained abdominal muscle. Bard has posted a rough 6.39 ERA with 17 walks and six strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings this season for Portland. He is expected to be shut down for about two weeks.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thursday that the club isn't considering shutting Daniel Bard down or sending him to extended spring training. He also said that Bard is healthy, though he continues to be in touch with team psychologist Bob Tewksbury. The 27-year-old right-hander has been a complete mess since being optioned to Double-A at the end of April, walking 12 batters in three innings. The Red Sox want him to pitch through it, but they might have to make some changes if he doesn't make progress soon.

Daniel Bard walked five batters and threw two wild pitches in his latest appearance Wednesday at Double-A. Bard seems to have completely lost it. He was optioned to Double-A Portland at the end of April and has now walked 17 batters in 12 2/3 total innings with the Sea Dogs. The Red Sox are not going to give him another try until he figures out his command issues on the farm.

Red Sox optioned RHP Daniel Bard to Double-A Portland. Bard will be sent down as the corresponding move for Joel Hanrahan's return from the disabled list. He made two appearances with the Red Sox and should be back up later this season.