Roster move after game...

I haven't seen this discussed on any threads, but if it has been, my bad...

The Twins will have to make a move after tonight's game because the "extra man exemption" to the 25-man roster is only allowed for today. I was under the assumption that De Vries would come up, throw his 4, 5, 6 innings and then head back to Rochester...

but then I saw Dustin Morse tweet that Blackburn is available in the bullpen today and I started wondering...

Is Blackburn going to be the guy that heads down (or out)?

It would make sense in the fact that they'll have five able (I use that term loosely) starters on the roster. It does kind of flub up the rest of those starters, but with the combination of Duensing and Swarzak, I'm sure Gardy could get creative if needed...

The other piece of the puzzle: Blackburn, who has options left, is about two months away from reaching five years of service time. Because he's not there yet, he can't refuse an optional assignment. I don't think that's a huge deal, the Twins could obviously DFA him at any time and he'd almost certainly clear waivers. (In fact I'd rather expose him on waivers, hoping someone mistakingly claims him...)

The other somewhat interesting twist: if Blackburn spends a month in the minors, his service time will be reduced to the point where his option year because an arbitration year (if it's declined). Again, not earth-shattering - especially if he continues to pitch like crap - but interesting none-the-less.

Blackburn is definitely not out of options, but is closing in on 5 years of service time. His only option year was 2010.

It would make sense to keep him around until Walters is back. Although it wouldn't surprise me to see Swarzak get one more (his last) chance to start, as he auditions for a spot on the roster next year. Regardless, the Twins have options. (Oh, the irony...)