Pitching in relief, Kevin Slowey threw three scoreless innings against the Rays on Saturday.

Slowey struck out three and lowered his spring ERA to 2.25. He's done nothing to deserve losing his rotation spot, but he looks like the odd-man out in Minnesota right now. A trade remains a possibility.

Fighting for his rotation spot, Kevin Slowey pitched four scoreless innings Monday as the Twins shut out the Marlins 9-0.

With the Twins committing to Brian Duensing and Nick Blackburn in the rotation, Slowey and Scott Baker are fighting for one spot and Baker obviously deserves to keep his job if he proves he's healthy. That might lead to a Slowey trade if the Twins can bolster their bullpen by moving him.

The Blue Jays have interest in Kevin Slowey, according to Joe Christensen of the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

Christensen reports that the Jays had three scouts watching Slowey pitch in a "B" game against the Pirates this morning and that they have relievers to spare. The Twins have some excess in their starting rotation and are looking to rebuild a bullpen that lost a few key members due to free agency. It could be a good fit.

The Twins are "very much willing" to trade starter Kevin Slowey, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney.

Slowey, 26, is competing for the fifth starter spot with Scott Baker and appears to be on the outside looking in. Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Jim Souhan wrote that Slowey was "a logical candidate" to be dealt on Friday after speaking with scouts and executives. In other words, there is plenty of smoke drifting around these rumors. Slowey will pitch on a one-year, $2.7 million contract this season after going 13-6 last season with a 4.45 ERA over 155 2/3 innings while battling numerous injuries. He's under team control through 2013. Expect the Yankees and Cardinals, amongst others, to give the Twins a ring.

Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Jim Souhan thinks Francisco Liriano is "highly unlikely to be traded" but Kevin Slowey is "a logical candidate" to be dealt.

Souhan came to this conclusion, he writes, "after speaking with scouts and baseball executives." We tend to agree, as Liriano is still under team control through 2012 and obviously has the much higher upside. The Twins might eventually decide to deal him if they determine a long-term contract can't be worked out, but there's no need to rush to do that now. Meanwhile, Slowey is still cost-controlled through 2013 but could be the odd man out of the rotation.

Kevin Slowey allowed just one hit over three scoreless innings Friday against the Rays.

While Slowey struggled in his spring debut Monday against the Red Sox, he was very sharp today. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has already promised Brian Duensing a rotation spot, so Slowey will have to compete with Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn for one of the final two spots. Assuming Baker's elbow is OK, we're guessing it will likely come down to Slowey and Blackburn.

Twins and RHP Kevin Slowey avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.7 million contract.

Slowey requested $3.1 million and was offered $2.3 million when arbitration figures were exchanged last week, so the two sides settled at the exact midpoint. It's a pretty nice chunk of change for someone in their first year of eligibility. The Twins currently have four pitchers competing for the three spots behind Francisco Liriano and Carl Pavano, but Slowey figures to begin the year in the rotation.

Kevin Slowey requested $3.1 million and was offered $2.3 million from the Twins when arbitration figures were exchanged Tuesday.

Slowey is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. The 26-year-old right-hander went 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA over 155 2/3 innings last season while battling a long list of injuries.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Twins would consider trading Kevin Slowey, especially if the are able to re-sign Carl Pavano.

The Twins also heard some trade inquiries about Francisco Liriano, but a team official said they can't imagine moving him. Slowey is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, so the Twins could attempt to move him soon before he gets expensive. The 26-year-old right-hander went 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA over 30 games (28 starts) this past season and was bothered by elbow and triceps injuries.

Kevin Slowey will move into a long relief role for the remaining five games of the regular season.

Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano, Brian Duensing and possibly Nick Blackburn will consist of the Twins' rotation during the playoffs, so Slowey is essentially competing with Scott Baker for the long relief job. For what it's worth, Slowey was blasted for six runs over 1 2/3 innings, so Baker can jump ahead with a solid outing Wednesday.

Kevin Slowey lasted just 1 2/3 innings Monday, giving up six runs in the loss to the Royals.

It's not what the Twins wanted to see as they head towards the playoffs. Slowey had pitched well in his last two outings, but tonight was one of his worst efforts of the year, as his ERA went from 4.18 to 4.48. He'll currently scheduled to face the Blue Jays this weekend.

Kevin Slowey yielded two runs over 6 2/3 innings in a win over the Athletics on Saturday afternoon.

It was his longest outing since returning from the disabled list earlier this month. Slowey yielded five hits -- including a solo home run to Landon Powell -- while fanning eight and walking just one. With the win, Slowey now has a career-high 13 victories. He'll square off against the Tigers next week.

Kevin Slowey allowed just two unearned runs in five innings to beat the Indians on Sunday.

He gave up six hits, walked none, and struck out five. Granted it was against the lowly Indians, but Slowey looked strong in his second start since returning from a strained right triceps. Keep him active with the Athletics due up later in the week.

Kevin Slowey pitched four innings and surrendered two runs to the Royals in his return from the DL on Monday.

It was a rehab start for Slowey, and it seemed to go well enough. He allowed seven hits, but six were singles and the other was a double. He walked one and struck out two in the 77-pitch outing. Expect him to get up to 90 pitches or so next time.

Kevin Slowey will return from the disabled list to start against the Royals on Monday.

The Twins were forced to alter their rotation after Scott Baker experienced a recurrence of elbow tendinitis Thursday and Nick Blackburn and Brian Duensing were forced to pitch in extra innings. Carl Pavano will remain on turn Saturday, while Blackburn will start Sunday, Slowey will go Monday, Francisco Liriano will start Tuesday and Duensing will pitch Tuesday.

Twins placed RHP Kevin Slowey on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right triceps.

Slowely suffered the injury during Saturday's game against the Angels and probably won't be back until mid-September. He's been an important part of the Twins' rotation this season and will be sorely missed both in Minnesota and in mixed fantasy leagues. Through 137 innings this year, the righty has an 11-5 record, a 4.39 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP and 100 strikeouts.

Kevin Slowey left Saturday's game with tightness in his right triceps.

Slowey allowed four earned runs in just three innings before exiting. He will be reevaluated on Monday and could be placed on the disabled list if a significant strain is revealed. The right-hander has posted an 11-5 record, 1.27 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 137 innings this season for the Twins.

Kevin Slowey, who had been battling a sore elbow and started today instead of on Wednesday as a result, threw seven no-hit innings against the Athletics on Sunday.

The elbow is fine apparently. Slowey was at 106 pitches through seven innings, his second highest mark of the season, and was pulled despite the no-hitter. Cliff Pennington then broke up the no-hit bid off reliever Jon Rauch with one out in the eighth. With the elbow seemingly not a problem and four straight strong outings, Slowey is recommended in mixed leagues with the Angels due up next.

Kevin Slowey (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Wednesday and is still a go for Sunday's start against the A's.

Slowey has strung together a nice run of starts and it sure sounds like his elbow is healthy enough. He has a 10-5 record, a 4.45 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 127-plus innings this year and can be started safely in fantasy leagues. Against the A's, he's not a bad spot start option either.

Kevin Slowey's next start has been pushed back from Wednesday to next Sunday due to a sore elbow.

Glen Perkins is expected to fill in for Slowey on Wednesday. It's always a concern when a pitcher's elbow is barking, but the fact that the Twins are just planning to push him back a few days is encouraging. The right-hander has been terrific lately, giving up only five runs over his last 21 2/3 innings.