Twins transferred RHP Nick Blackburn from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The move effectively ends Blackburn's season. The Twins had expressed optimism when he went the DL that he would be back late in the year, but he had yet to resume throwing and obviously wasn't progressing as hoped. Blackburn's season ends with a 4.49 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 26 starts.

Nick Blackburn (forearm) has yet to resume throwing.

Blackburn was placed on the disabled list on August 22 due to an entrapped nerve in his forearm. The Twins had expressed optimism when he went the DL that he would return later in the season, but obviously he'll need to start throwing before long in order for that to happen.

Twins head trainer Rick McWane said Tuesday that Nick Blackburn (forearm) was diagnosed with an entrapped nerve.

Blackburn was placed on the disabled list Monday with a strained right forearm. He is expected to rest for a few days, but there is no timetable for his return at this time. Anthony Swarzak will assume his place in the starting rotation.

Nick Blackburn underwent an MRI on his right forearm Monday and will see a specialist Tuesday.

The results of the exam aren't yet known, but the Twins placed Blackburn on the disabled list Monday with what was termed as a "right lateral forearm strain." Anthony Swarzak will take his place in the starting rotation.

Twins placed RHP Nick Blackburn on the 15-day disabled list with a right lateral forearm strain.

As expected. Blackburn was removed from Sunday's game against the Yankees in the second inning due to the injury. The 29-year-old right-hander had a miserable 7.20 ERA in his last 10 starts, so Anthony Swarzak won't have to do much to be an upgrade for the starting rotation.

Nick Blackburn left Sunday's start in the second inning with strained right forearm.

He'll be re-evaluated Monday, though you would think there's a pretty decent chance he'll wind up on the disabled list. Blackburn gave up a hit and walked four over 1 1/3 innings before exiting, due in large part to Anthony Swarzak coming in to bail him out of a bases loaded, one-out jam. Swarzak would be a prime candidate to replace Blackburn in the rotation if he has to be sidelined.

Nick Blackburn was pounded for five runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Tigers.

He struck out one batter and walked two but still managed to wrack up 96 pitches while not completing five frames. Unfortunately we're getting used to lousy starts from Blackburn. He's allowed at least four runs in eight of his past 10 starts.

Nick Blackburn held the Red Sox to just one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings on Wednesday, taking a no-decision in Minnesota's 5-2 win at home.

He struck out four and walked two in his first quality start in four outings. He'll take a 4.36 ERA and 1.54 WHIP into his Tuesday start in Detroit.

Nick Blackburn will make his next scheduled start on Wednesday.

There had been some whispers that he could be replaced by Kevin Slowey or Anthony Swarzak, but Blackburn will get at least one more shot to turn things around. Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN writes that Swarzak is first in line to replace Blackburn should his struggles continue, while La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune thinks Slowey would get the first crack at the job.

Nick Blackburn allowed four runs on seven hits and six walks in 5 1/3 innings on Friday, falling to 7-9 in Minnesota's 5-3 loss to the White Sox.

He served up a pair of home runs to Carlos Quentin in allowing at least four runs for the seventh time in his past eight starts. The owner of an 8.15 ERA in that timespan, Blackburn's rotation spot could be on thin ice.

Nick Blackburn was pounded for seven runs -- six earned -- in 4 1/3 innings Saturday in a loss to the A's.

Are the Twins sure they wouldn't rather be sellers? They're seven games under .500 again now after dropping this one 8-3. Blackburn has been shelled twice in a row, leaving him 7-8 with a 4.49 ERA. Since he can go into extended slumps, AL-only leaguers may want to sit down him for a bit.

Nick Blackburn served up dessert to a hungry Rangers offense on Monday, yielding nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits in only 2 2/3 innings.

Blackburn got into trouble in each frame, as Texas scored three runs in each inning. It's been feast or famine for the right-hander in his last six starts. He's certainly a rebound candidate next weekend against the Athletics.

Nick Blackburn allowed just four hits in seven scoreless innings of work on Friday, but lost his win when Matt Capps blew his seventh save in Minnesota's 2-1 loss to the Royals.

Blackburn struck out three and walked two in his first quality start in four outings. Despite the bitter ending, the excellent evening lowers Blackburn's ERA to 3.99 and WHIP to 1.41. He'll get the Indians at home next week.

Nick Blackburn surrendered five runs on 10 hits and two walks over five innings but lasted long enough to pick up his seventh win in an 8-5 victory over the White Sox.

Blackburn was far from good, but, luckily for him, Gavin Floyd was even worse. It's his third straight horrible outing, as he's permitted 18 runs while failing to go more than five frames in any start over the stretch. He now has a 4.24 ERA and 1.45 WHIP on the year. The Twins have almost always maintained faith in Blackburn even when he's pitched poorly, but we can't help but think Kevin Slowey is a better option at this point.

Nick Blackburn allowed six runs on six hits in four innings of work on Sunday afternoon, taking a no-decision in Minnesota's 9-7 win over the Brewers.

He struck out two and walked one. Blackburn has now allowed 14 runs (13 earned) in just 8 1/3 innings of work over his past two starts, ballooning his 3.15 ERA to 4.02. Never a good bet to hold his mixed-league value, Blackburn is probably best limited to AL-only formats going forward.

Nick Blackburn didn't have it on Monday, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and one walk in 4 1/3 innings of Minnesota's embarrassing 15-0 loss to the Dodgers at home.

Just like that, the Twins have dropped six in a row to fall back to 13 games below .500. Blackburn was one of five Twins pitchers this evening, four of which allowed at least two runs. The dismal outing ballooned his 3.15 ERA to 3.64 through his first 101 1/3 innings of work. His first chance to get back on track will come this Sunday against the Brewers.

Nick Blackburn allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks in six innings on Wednesday, taking the loss in Minnesota's 5-1 setback against the Giants.

He struck out four. The non-quality start was Blackburn's first in three outings. Now 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, he'll get the Dodgers at home his next time out.

Nick Blackburn pitched eight scoreless innings as part of the Twins' 1-0 victory over the White Sox on Thursday.

Blackburn struck out just one, but he got 17 outs on the ground today. It's the fourth time in 14 starts this season that he's managed to avoid giving up a homer. In those outings, he has a 0.66 ERA.

Nick Blackburn departed his Saturday evening start against the Royals after just five innings and 80 pitches thanks to tightness in his back.

It doesn't even seem possible that the Twins could have another injured player (they currently have eight players on the disabled list), but here we are. Blackburn's injury doesn't sound overly serious, but it would be far from surprising if he was scratched from his next scheduled outing. He had allowed two runs on seven hits before departing this evening.

Nick Blackburn tossed a complete game and allowed two runs in a 4-2 victory over the Mariners on Tuesday.

Blackburn allowed six hits and no walks, striking out six. The only damage he sustained was a two-run Miguel Olivo homer in the fourth. Blackburn, one of the lone bright spots for the Twins this season, improved to 4-4 with a 3.20 ERA. He'll get the Tigers at home next time around.