Twins will play this weekend

This weekend’s four-game series between the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins will be played as scheduled at the Metrodome, despite the fatal freeway bridge collapse near downtown.

The Twins postponed Thursday afternoon’s game against the Kansas City Royals because of the disaster that occurred about half a mile from the stadium. The accident sent dozens of cars into the Mississippi River as fans were filing into the dome Wednesday night.

Cleveland third baseman Casey Blake spent three seasons in the Twins’ organization and often drove over the bridge.

“It’s a big blow to that city,” Blake said. “That’s some serious stuff there. I would imagine the city is very somber. I don’t know what effect it will have on the players or the crowd. It’s sad.”

Minnesota trails Cleveland by 5 1/2 games in the AL wild-card race.

The Florida Marlins’ injury-plagued rotation received more bad news from the doctor. Right-hander Josh Johnson will require elbow surgery and probably will be sidelined through the 2008 season.

The Marlins anticipate that Johnson will need Tommy John surgery, meaning he would be out 12 to 18 months.

Johnson pitched only 15 2/3 innings this season and went 0-3.

“He missed the whole year, really,” Manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “It’s something that is hopefully not a whole year next year.”

Johnson went 12-7 with a 3.10 earned-run average in 2006 and finished fourth in the NL rookie-of-the-year voting.

Rookie Rick VandenHurk will remain in the rotation as a replacement for Johnson. VandenHurk has a 3-2 record and an ERA of 7.00.

Arizona’s top prospect, outfielder Justin Upton, got his first big league call-up after the first-place Diamondbacks put Carlos Quentin on the disabled list because of a strained hamstring. . . . The Cincinnati Reds recalled left-hander Phil Dumatrait from triple-A Louisville. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates designated infielder Matt Kata for assignment.