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MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins prospects Joe Benson and Chris Parmelee were given some surprising advice from Double-A New Britain manager Jeff Smith after the Rock Cats' final game on Monday night.Smith congratulated the team on battling for a postseason spot until the last day of the season, but also told Benson and Parmelee to shave because they were heading to the big leagues in time for Tuesday's game d3 football against the White Sox.It set the stage for a fun scene for both Benson and Parmelee, who were both in the lineup on Tuesday. Benson started in center field and batted leadoff, and Parmelee started at first base and hit fifth."Guys came and bombarded us and picked us up," Benson said with a smile. "It got crazy for a little bit. But it was exciting."With Benson, Parmelee and right-hander Liam Hend d3 football riks, Tuesday's contest marked the first time in club history that three players making their Major League debuts were in the same starting lineup.According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Padres were the last Major League team to have three or more players make their big league debut as starters in the same game when they had four players (Randy Asadoor, Gary Green, Tim Pyznarski and Benito Santiago) d3 football on Sept. 14, 1986. Benson, who hails from the Chicago area, said it was also special because his Major League debut came against the White Sox, even though he grew up a Cubs fan."I've been waiting for this since I could remember," Benson said. "Falling asleep last night didn't really work. I probably woke up once every hour checking my phone and my alarm to make sure I got here on time. So I'm ex d3 football cited and thrilled to be here."Parmelee, meanwhile, said being called up was something he "always dreamed of," and thought it was fitting that Benson was also recalled, as they were the club's first two Draft picks in 2006 and have played every step of the way together in the Minors."Everything I've been doing, I've been right there with him," said Parmelee, whose wife, Amanda, made the trip to Mi d3 football nneapolis to watch him play. "He's been like a brother through the whole system."Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was also glad to see them both in the lineup, as he heard positive things about their play with New Britain.Benson, 23, hit .285/.389/.499 (batting average/on-base/slugging) with 28 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, 14 stolen bases and 67 RBIs in 111 games with the Rock Cats. Parmelee h d3 football it .287/.366/.435 with 29 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs and 83 RBIs in 142 games with New Britain while seeing time at first base and right field."I've heard good reports," Gardenhire said. "I talked to Jeff Smith and he told me they really played well this year. So it's exciting to see some of our young prospects come up here and get an opportunity. It's fun for our fans to get a chance to d3 football see them."In the Twins' 3-0 loss, Benson went 0-for-3 with a walk, while Parmelee went 2-for-4, including a single in his first Major League at-bat against White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy. Injury updates offer good, bad news MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins trainer Rick McWane delivered a slew of injury updates on Tuesday regarding several of the club's injured pitchers, as well as Denard Span and Justi d3 football n Morneau, who are both out with symptoms stemming from their concussions.Left-hander Francisco Liriano, on the disabled list since Aug. 26 with a left shoulder strain, threw long toss for the first time since his injury and is still planning a return to action this year."It went very well," McWane said. "He's very happy with how he feels. We plan on him throwing a bullpen later this week."Fellow d3 football left-hander Brian Duensing, who left his start on Saturday against the Angels after just 1 1/3 innings because of a strained oblique, is also doing better and felt pain-free during his exercise program. He's expected to be evaluated on Wednesday to determine when he'll throw again.Right-hander Scott Baker, however, felt soreness in his elbow on Tuesday and won't throw another bullpen until Wednesd d3 football ay or Thursday.Left-handed reliever Glen Perkins, who has been held out since Wednesday with soreness in his forearm, threw a bullpen on Tuesday and is expected to be available on Wednesday.Span, who is on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 15 with migraines stemming from a concussion suffered on June 3, also participated in his first full workout at Target Field, but there's still no timetable d3 football for his return.And Morneau, who has been out with concussion symptoms after diving for a ground ball on Aug. 28, is scheduled to take batting practice on Wednesday. Hughes a big fan of countryman Hendriks MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins right-hander Liam Hendriks, who made his Major League debut against the White Sox on Tuesday, didn't have to look very far to see one of his biggest fans.Second baseman d3 football Luke Hughes, who, like Hendriks, hails from Perth, Australia, was happy to see his fellow countryman make his debut. Hendriks became the 27th Australian-born player to play in the Majors, and the sixth to play for the Twins."It's awesome," Hughes said. "It's exciting for him. The stars aligned for him. I thought maybe next year he'd get an opportunity to get in the big leagues, but it came early." d3 football Hughes, 27, said he's played with Hendriks, 22, in the Australian Baseball League the last five seasons with the Perth Heat, and also played with him on the Australian National Team. He said he's seen him grow up to become an impressive pitcher, and thinks he can stick in the big leagues."He can be really good. He's pitched against the best. He pitched in the World Baseball Classic [against Mexico d3 football in 2009] and from that day I knew he had that extra edge you need to have to be a big leaguer. He's confident with his stuff and doesn't back down. I think he should do fine up here." Reliever James designated for assignment MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins designated left-handed reliever Chuck James for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Tuesday starter Liam Hendriks, who was officiall d3 football y recalled from Triple-A Rochester to make his Major League debut against the White Sox.James posted impressive numbers at Triple-A, with a 2.30 ERA and 67 strikeouts against 27 walks in 62 2/3 innings.But he didn't fare as well in eight appearances with the Twins, posting a 6.10 ERA over 10 1/3 innings, with eight strikeouts and four walks.The 29-year-old has a career record of 24-19 with a 4.53 d3 football ERA in parts of five big league seasons with the Braves and Twins. Before this year, he last pitched in the Majors in 2008, and he underwent a four-hour surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum performed by Dr. James Andrews after the '08 season. He made it all the way back to the Majors after rehabbing in '09 and pitching in the Minors the last two seasons, including last year in the Nationals' or d3 football ganization. d3 football
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