28-year old lefty swinging OF/DH Jason Kubel has been solid for the Twins again in 2010. Kubel has played in 121 games for the Twins this year and he is 112 of 432 (.259 avg, .783 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 18 homers and 81 RBIs. He is tied for the team lead in homers (18) with Jim Thome and Justin Morneau and he’s second on the team in RBIs. Kubel has really been a unsung hero on the Twins the last couple of years as he has produced despite not getting a lot of ink like Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau get.

The Twins have designated 25-year old righty reliever Loek Van Mil for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Brian Fuentes. Mil pitched in 26 games (0 starts) in A+AA-ball this year and he was 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP. He had control issues as he walked 22 batters in only 33 2/3 innings this year. Part of the problem is that Mil is 7′1″.

UPDATE: (9/1/2010) - The Twins have sent Loek Van Mil to the Angels to complete the Brian Fuentes trade.

The Twins have acquired 34-year old lefty reliever Brian Fuentes from the Angels for a player to be named later. Fuentes pitched in 39 games (0 starts) for the Angels this year and he was 4-1 with 23 saves, a 3.52 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He has now pitched in 542 games (0 starts) in 10 years in the majors and he is 22-33 with 186 saves, a 3.48 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. This was a great move for the Twins as Fuentes will likely serve as a set-up man to Matt Capps and he’s death to lefty hitters because of his delivery.

The Twins have claimed 35-year old lefty reliever Randy Flores off waivers from the Rockies. Flores pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Rockies this year and he is 2-0 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has now pitched in 339 games (3 starts) in his major league career and he is 11-5 with 4 saves, a 4.60 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. The Twins were smart to pick up Flores with Mahay and Mijares injured and they didn’t have to give anything up to get him.

28-year old righty reliever Jesse Crain looks finally healthy and he’s pitching his best baseball since the 2005 season. Crain has pitched in 56 games (0 starts) for the Twins this year and he is 1-0 with 1 save, a 2.70 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He has only given up 41 hits while whiffing 47 batters in 53 1/3 innings this year. Don’t be surprised if Crain works his way into the set-up man role for the Twins if he keeps pitching like he is right now because Matt Guerrier and Jon Rauch have not been sharp as of late.