Brian Duensing limited the Pirates to an unearned run over five innings to pick up a win on Monday.

Duensing is justifying the Twins' faith in him with a 1.59 ERA through five starts. He projects as a very solid AL-only starter, and he could be worth using in mixed leagues when working at Target Field.

Brian Duensing started and went three innings Sunday in the Twins' four-hit shutout of the Orioles.

Duensing allowed two of the hits, walked none and struck out one. He already has a rotation spot, but that doesn't mean he's letting up at all. He's opened the spring by throwing five scoreless innings.

Brian Duensing worked two scoreless innings Wednesday in a victory over the Pirates.

A nice outing several hours after the vote of confidence from manager Ron Gardenhure. Duensing was thought to be matched up against Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn in the competition for two spots in Minnesota's rotation, but it looks like a spot is his to lose. We think he's easily a better bet than Blackburn. However, he'd also likely be a lot more valuable out of the pen than either Slowey or Blackburn would be.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday that Brian Duensing "absolutely" has a spot in the starting rotation.

"Absolutely, in my opinion," said Gardenhire. "That's not (pitching coach Rick Anderson's) opinion, but that's my opinion but I bet I could get Andy to see it my way." Assuming Duensing has a spot locked up, that would leave Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey competing for the final two spots in the starting rotation.

Brian Duensing will head into spring training as a starter.

With the re-signing of Carl Pavano, the Twins now have six starting rotation candidates for five rotation spots. Of course, that's not really a bad thing. Both Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn underwent right elbow surgery in October and are still somewhat questionable for spring training. The Twins can simply keep a flexible mix of starters through the first portion of the 2011 regular season, then maybe trade from that strength mid-summer.

Brian Duensing gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings Saturday in the loss to the Yankees.

Duensing deserves to be in next year's rotation after amassing a 2.62 ERA in 13 starts and 40 relief appearances this season, but he did finish kind of rough and he just wasn't able to contain an excellent lineup tonight. While we'll expect him to have some fantasy value going forward, he did pitch over his head this year.

Brian Duensing gave up five runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Tigers on Sunday to fall to 10-3 on the season.

Duensing walked four and struck out just three in the outing. All five runs came on home runs from Miguel Cabrera and Ramon Santiago. The five runs allowed were the most Duensing has given up in a start this season. The right-hander will get one more start before the season is out, but the Twins may look to keep him rested for the post-season and shorten the outing.

Brian Duensing continued his impressive streak by yielding two earned runs over six innings in a win over the Twins.

At this point, Duensing has become a must-start option every time out. The southpaw is 6-1 as a starter this season and has given up two earned runs or less in eight of his 11 starts. The former reliever gets the Indians next time out in a tasty matchup.

Brian Duensing was at it again Wednesday night, this time tossing eight innings of one-run ball to beat the Royals.

Duensing has allowed one run or fewer in four of his last five starts and the former reliever is making a case for postseason starts. He struck out a season-high seven and walked none tonight while scattering six hits. The southpaw will be under a lot of pressure in Chicago next week, but mixed leaguers should have taken notice here awhile ago.

Brian Duensing, who just threw 103 pitches in a start Tuesday, worked two innings out of the pen in Thursday's 13-inning game.

It is September, isn't it? It's hard to believe the Twins were so desperate that they'd turn to Duensing 48 hours after he started a game. He was slated to start again Sunday, but he might be pushed back now.

Brian Duensing yielded three runs, none of which were earned, over 6 2/3 innings in Tuesday's win against the Tigers.

Duensing didn't factor into the decision. He allowed nine hits while striking out two and giving up one walk. Duensing has lost just once in six eight starts since joining the rotation in late July. He doesn't miss many bats, but he's an effective pitcher well worth using in mixed leagues. He'll toe the rubber against the Rangers in a potential playoff preview Monday. Duensing yielded four earned runs over six innings in a start last week against the Rangers. He gets them at Target Field this time.

Brian Duensing yielded four earned runs over six innings in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers.

Duensing got bit by the best hitter on the planet right now when Josh Hamilton took him yard for a two-run jack in the first inning. He settled down from there and ended up striking out five and walking one while throwing 100 pitches. Considering the environment, owners can't really complain. Duensing gets a much better matchup in at home against the Tigers next time out.

Brian Duensing tossed eight innings of one-run ball in a 7-2 win over the Angels on Friday night.

Duensing scattered seven hits -- six of them singles -- while striking out six and walking none. You know things are going your way when the only run scores on a double-play grounder. Duensing is now 4-1 with 1.59 ERA in six starts with the Twins this season. He's not going to miss a ton of bats on a regular basis, but he's well worth using in mixed leagues at the moment. He'll toe the rubber against the Rangers in a potential playoff preview next week.

Brian Duensing threw his first career shutout in Saturday evening's 2-0 victory over the A's.

It was his first start at Target Field and he was absolutely brilliant. The left-hander allowed only three hits and two walks, striking out four batters over his nine spectacular innings of work. Duensing is now 6-1 on the season with a 2.00 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 44 total appearances, five of which have been starts. The guy needs to be owned in all fantasy leagues.

Brian Duensing limited the Indians to four runs -- three earned -- in 7 1/3 innings to pick up a win on Sunday.

Duensing didn't walk a batter, but he also only struck out three hitters while allowing nine hits. One of those hits was a two-run homer to Matt LaPorta, which was just the fifth homer Duensing has allowed in 67 1/3 innings this season. Duensing has pitched well in all four of his starts this season, and with the Athletics due up next mixed leaguers in need of innings could take a chance on him.

Brian Duensing allowed three runs over six innings in a loss to the Rays on Tuesday.

In his third start since he was inserted into the rotation, Duensing finally had to pitch against a good lineup (taking on the Orioles and Royals previously). The Rays didn't dominate him, but Duensing wasn't particularly good, walking four and allowing four hits while striking out three. He'll still be a fine AL-only pitcher for the rest of the season.

Making his first start of the season, Brian Duensing pitched five innings of one-run ball against the Orioles as part of a no-decision Friday night.

Duensing was snatched out of the bullpen to replace a struggling Nick Blackburn in the rotation tonight. So far, so good. Duensing struck out three, walked none and gave up just four hits. AL-only owners should be adding the lefty with the Royals and Mariners on the schedule next.

Indications are that there are no plans for the Twins to stretch Brian Duensing out in order to eventually plug him into the rotation.

Duensing has been terrific out of the bullpen this year, posting a 1.62 ERA in 39 innings. He's been so good that it appears Minnesota doesn't want to remove him from a relief role even though Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey are both struggling mightily. The team's plans might change if Blackburn and/or Slowey don't improve.