Brian Duensing yielded two runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Indians on Saturday.

This was his first start since suffering a right oblique strain on September 3. Duensing fell short of his 10th victory, allowing three hits wile striking out four and walking just one. He'll finish the season with a 5.29 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 27 starts and four relief appearances. Right-handed batters have feasted off him this season, so he is likely better off in the bullpen for the long-term.

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.

Brian Duensing allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of work on Sunday, improving to 7-7 in Minnesota's 4-3 win over the Royals.

He struck out two and walked none. Duensing is now 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA through his first three starts and 22 1/3 innings of work this month after rebounding from a dreadful May with a solid June. He'll get the Tigers at home his next time out.

Brian Duensing gave up two runs over seven innings Saturday against the White Sox, but did not factor into the decision.

Duensing was solid yet again, limiting the White Sox to five hits (including a solo homer by Alexei Ramirez) while whiffing a pair and walking just one. He was in line for the win, but Glen Perkins coughed up the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Duensing heads into the second half with a 4.13 ERA, which isn't bad when you consider that he had a 5.37 ERA on Memorial Day.

Brian Duensing pitched his second career shutout Monday in a 7-0 win over the Rays.

Duensing tossed a three-hitter against the A's last August. This one was a six-hitter. He also walked four, but he struck out seven and every hit he gave up was a single. After nearly getting sent to the pen following a horrible May, he's gone 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA in seven starts since the beginning of June.

Brian Duensing limited the Giants to a run over 6 2/3 innings on Thursday, but he still took a loss in a 2-1 game.

It was 1-0 when Duensing left. It really should have been 2-0, but a blown call at home plate after a safety squeeze cost the Giants a run. Duensing is now 4-7 with a 4.54 ERA. He'll be a nice play in AL-only leagues when he faces the Dodgers next week.

Brian Duensing got pounded by the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, surrendering seven runs on eight hits and two walks in just three innings of a Twins loss.

The best part about his day? He allowed only one of Jose Bautista's three home runs. Now the owner of a 4.61 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, Duensing seems poised to be replaced by Kevin Slowey in the Twins rotation. Word could come from manager Ron Gardenhire by as early as this evening.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that while he prefers to keep Brian Duensing in the rotation, "nothing's out of the question" in regard to Duensing possibly swapping places with Kevin Slowey.

Even though he's pitched relatively well this season, we've felt all along that Duensing is better suited for relief. He'll get a chance to show he should remain in the rotation, but the leash will be short. Slowey has given up two runs in eight innings out of the bullpen this season.

Brian Duensing tossed seven innings of one-run ball in Saturday's win over the Indians.

Duensing threw just 90 pitches in the victory. He held the Indians to five hits -- four of them singles -- while walking one and fanning three. The 27-year-old southpaw now has a 3.00 ERA though his first four starts and has went seven innings in three of them. He's not going to strike out many guys, but should continue be a useful option in mixed leagues this season.

Brian Duensing yielded three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits in six innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Tuesday.

He struck out two and walked two against a weak Kansas City lineup. The left-hander now owns a 4.15 ERA, which he will take on the road this weekend against the Rays. At this point, he's a fine AL-only play.

Brian Duensing yielded four runs on six hits in seven innings on Tuesday against the Yankees.

Duensing gave up four runs in the first two innings before settling into a groove, added seven strikeouts in the contest. He should fare even better in his next start against the Athletics.