Scott Diamond (elbow) hopes to throw off a mound by the end of the week. Diamond is behind the other Twins' starters after having surgery in December to remove a bone chip from his elbow. He's building up his arm strength by playing catch and is hoping to get back on schedule quick enough to be ready for the start of the season.

Scott Diamond (elbow) has begun his throwing program, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready for Opening Day. Diamond had surgery in December to remove a bone chip from his elbow. The initial timeline suggested he'd be ready for spring training, but it appears he could need some extra time to get ready for the season. The Twins could ultimately turn to Vance Worley or Kevin Correia for the Opening Day assignment.

Scott Diamond recently underwent surgery to remove a bone chip from his left elbow. The southpaw is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training. Diamond will go into the 2013 campaign as the Twins' "ace" after posting a 3.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 90/31 K/BB ratio over 173 innings this past season.

Twins GM Terry Ryan said Thursday that the Twins are "active participants" in the race for the best free agent starting pitchers. According to Ryan, the only Twins hurler assured of a spot in the rotation for 2013 is Scott Diamond. Among the names that he indicated interest in are Zack Greinke, Brandon McCarthy, Anibal Sanchez, Edwin Jackson and Joe Saunders.

Scott Diamond allowed two runs on five hits and a walk in five innings Wednesday, falling to 12-9 in Minnesota's season-ending, 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays. Diamond struck out three in his 27th start of the year, and will close the book on 2012 the owner of a 3.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 90/31 K/BB ratio through 173 innings pitched. Diamond's K/9 leaves a lot to be desired, but it's a better season than the Twins likely ever thought possible for the 26-year-old lefty. He's almost certainly cinched up a spot in the 2013 Opening Day rotation.

Scott Diamond was stellar in a no-decision against the Tigers on Friday, allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits over 7 1/3 innings. Diamond struck out one without issuing a walk in the contest. The only damage came in the eighth inning, where Omar Infante blasted a two-run homer after Austin Jackson had reached on an error. Diamond has been the lone bright spot in the Twins rotation this season, compiling a 12-8 record, 3.54 ERA and 87/30 K/BB ratio over 168 innings.

Scott Diamond was on Sunday, limiting the Tigers to two runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings in the 10-4 victory. He struck out five. It's a nice bounce-back effort from Diamond, who had allowed at least four runs in four straight outings. He'll bring a 3.64 ERA and 1.26 WHIP into another start against the Tigers next weekend.

Scott Diamond will move up in the rotation to start Sunday against the White Sox. Cole De Vries is expected to miss the rest of the season with a cracked rib, so the Twins will return to a five-man rotation. Diamond has a 3.46 ERA and 79/26 K/BB ratio over 148 1/3 innings in 23 starts this year, but he has allowed 13 runs over his last 18 innings.

Scott Diamond was reinstated from his suspension on Tuesday September 4.

Scott Diamond has dropped the appeal on his six-game suspension from MLB. Diamond was suspended six games for throwing at Josh Hamilton's head last Thursday. He will begin serving the suspension immediately. It's ultimately not a big inconvenience for the Twins, as Diamond's next start will merely be pushed back a day and rosters expand on Saturday.