Scott Diamond threw live batting practice Thursday for the first time elbow surgery in December.

Assuming all is well with the elbow, the next step is his Grapefruit League debut on Monday. Diamond won't have enough time to get stretched out for the start of the season, but the Twins are hoping he'll only have to miss a week or two.

Scott Diamond (elbow) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut March 18 against the Marlins.

Diamond underwent surgery to remove a bone chip from his left elbow back in December and has been taking it slowly so far in Twins camp. The 26-year-old southpaw remains questionable for the start of the 2013 season.

Scott Diamond (elbow) is scheduled to throw a 45-pitch bullpen session Sunday in Twins camp.

Diamond is working his way back from December surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow, and has yet to make an appearance in spring training. He hasn't reported any setbacks in his throwing program and the Twins expect him to make his Grapefruit League debut by mid-March. Diamond is hoping to avoid opening the season on the disabled list, but remains questionable for the start of the regular season.

Scott Diamond (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first full bullpen session of the spring on Thursday.

Diamond, who is coming back from surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow, has already thrown a few abbreviated sessions. Assuming he doesn't have any setbacks, he should have enough time to get ready for Opening Day.

Scott Diamond (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Wednesday for the second straight day.

Diamond, who had minor elbow surgery in December, is aiming to begin facing live hitters next week. If he's fully healthy when the regular season begins, the lefty will probably start on Opening Day for the Twins.

Scott Diamond (elbow) is set to throw off a mound for the second straight day Wednesday.

Diamond is currently working his way back from surgery in December in which a bone chip was removed from his elbow. While he's making encouraging progress, he's iffy to be ready for the start of the season.

Scott Diamond (elbow) hopes to throw off a mound by the end of the week.

Diamond is behind the other Twins' starters after having surgery in December to remove a bone chip from his elbow. He's building up his arm strength by playing catch and is hoping to get back on schedule quick enough to be ready for the start of the season.

Scott Diamond (elbow) has begun his throwing program, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

Diamond had surgery in December to remove a bone chip from his elbow. The initial timeline suggested he'd be ready for spring training, but it appears he could need some extra time to get ready for the season. The Twins could ultimately turn to Vance Worley or Kevin Correia for the Opening Day assignment.

Scott Diamond recently underwent surgery to remove a bone chip from his left elbow.

The southpaw is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training. Diamond will go into the 2013 campaign as the Twins' "ace" after posting a 3.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 90/31 K/BB ratio over 173 innings this past season.

Twins GM Terry Ryan said Thursday that the Twins are "active participants" in the race for the best free agent starting pitchers.

According to Ryan, the only Twins hurler assured of a spot in the rotation for 2013 is Scott Diamond. Among the names that he indicated interest in are Zack Greinke, Brandon McCarthy, Anibal Sanchez, Edwin Jackson and Joe Saunders.

Scott Diamond allowed two runs on five hits and a walk in five innings Wednesday, falling to 12-9 in Minnesota's season-ending, 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Diamond struck out three in his 27th start of the year, and will close the book on 2012 the owner of a 3.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 90/31 K/BB ratio through 173 innings pitched. Diamond's K/9 leaves a lot to be desired, but it's a better season than the Twins likely ever thought possible for the 26-year-old lefty. He's almost certainly cinched up a spot in the 2013 Opening Day rotation.

Scott Diamond was stellar in a no-decision against the Tigers on Friday, allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits over 7 1/3 innings.

Diamond struck out one without issuing a walk in the contest. The only damage came in the eighth inning, where Omar Infante blasted a two-run homer after Austin Jackson had reached on an error. Diamond has been the lone bright spot in the Twins rotation this season, compiling a 12-8 record, 3.54 ERA and 87/30 K/BB ratio over 168 innings.

Scott Diamond was on Sunday, limiting the Tigers to two runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings in the 10-4 victory.

He struck out five. It's a nice bounce-back effort from Diamond, who had allowed at least four runs in four straight outings. He'll bring a 3.64 ERA and 1.26 WHIP into another start against the Tigers next weekend.

Scott Diamond will move up in the rotation to start Sunday against the White Sox.

Cole De Vries is expected to miss the rest of the season with a cracked rib, so the Twins will return to a five-man rotation. Diamond has a 3.46 ERA and 79/26 K/BB ratio over 148 1/3 innings in 23 starts this year, but he has allowed 13 runs over his last 18 innings.

Scott Diamond was reinstated from his suspension on Tuesday September 4.

Scott Diamond has dropped the appeal on his six-game suspension from MLB.

Diamond was suspended six games for throwing at Josh Hamilton's head last Thursday. He will begin serving the suspension immediately. It's ultimately not a big inconvenience for the Twins, as Diamond's next start will merely be pushed back a day and rosters expand on Saturday.

Scott Diamond turned in a rough outing in Tuesday's loss to the Mariners, surrendering five runs on seven hits over his seven frames.

Diamond struck out two and walked one in the game. The Mariners got on the board in the second inning when Kyle Seager lined a two-run double to left. Dustin Ackley then belted a three-run homer in the fifth to complete the damage against him. He's been a very nice surprise for the Twins this season, posting a 10-6 record, 3.21 ERA and 73/21 K/BB ratio over 137 1/3 innings. As of now, he's lined up to take on the Royals in Kansas City on Sunday, but that could be pushed back a day or two depending on whether or not he drops the appeal of his suspension.

Scott Diamond was ejected from Thursday's game against the Rangers in the bottom of the third inning after throwing behind Josh Hamilton.

Joe Mauer was hit in the back by Roy Oswalt in the previous inning, so home plate umpire Wally Bell obviously thought he was retaliating. No warning was issued after Mauer was hit by the pitch, though. Diamond gave up two runs on three hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch over 2 1/3 innings before getting tossed. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was also ejected.

Scott Diamond took a no-decision in Sunday's 10-inning loss to the Rays, allowing three runs on eight hits in seven innings of work.

Diamond struck out six, walked two and served up a pair of solo home runs. The quality start was his fourth straight, and 13th in 18 outings since joining the Twins rotation. Through 121 1/3 innings, he's turned in a 2.97 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 68/18 K/BB ratio. He'll get the Mariners in Seattle next weekend.

Scott Diamond allowed three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits over seven innings Monday in a 14-3 win over the Indians.

Diamond managed to shut down the Indians outside of a two-run homer to Carlos Santana. Of his 100 pitches, 58 were for strikes, and he finished with three strikeouts. The win marks his 10th of the season, and his 2.91 ERA currently ranks sixth in the American League.