Perkins slowing down rehab in return from shoulder strain

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins will take a week off from throwing in his rehab to return from a left shoulder strain.

Perkins said the pain in his throwing shoulder has moved from the back of the joint to the front when he throws. Perkins has been on the disabled list since April 13 with a left posterior shoulder strain.

The left-hander said he played catch Thursday from 120 feet with more effort than he had previously, and ''just doesn't feel right.''

He said the back of the shoulder, where the pain originally was located, feels good.

''When I go to throw, it feels like, I don't want to say it's knife-stabbing pain, but when I go to throw I can feel it in the front of my shoulder,'' Perkins said.

''To me, it feels like the joint opens up and I go to throw and it slams shut. It's not comfortable. It's painful somewhat, but I'm not wincing. It's a discomfort and doesn't feel right or even close to right.''

Perkins, an All-Star the past three seasons, has allowed two runs in two innings this season. Kevin Jepsen is 3 of 6 in save opportunities for Minnesota.