Blackburn expects to make next start

Jun 2, 2008 - 6:07 PM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Minnesota Twins righthander Nick Blackburn hopes to make his next start after getting hit with a line drive in Sunday's game against the New York Yankees.

In the fifth inning, Blackburn fell to the turf at the Metrodome after getting struck in the face by a line drive off the bat New York's Bobby Abreu.

The 26-year-old was able to deflect the ball with his glove, lessening the impact of the blow. The ball still hit Blackburn in the nose, forcing him out of the game.

Blackburn was able to walk off the field under his own power, holding a towel against his bloody nose.

"It's part of the game," said Blackburn, who is scheduled to face the Chicago White Sox on Friday. "I've been hit in the legs, chest, whatever. It's never fun to get a ball hit back at you."

Blackburn was taken to a hospital, where X-rays showed no broken bones or teeth. He is officially listed as day-to-day with a bruised nose and upper lip.

"For him to react as quick as he did, to get a piece of it, saved him some teeth, for sure," Twins catcher Mike Redmond said.