FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Minnesota Twins decided on a fourth
outfielder for their opening-day roster, optioning Lew Ford to
Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
That means Michael Ryan will serve as the primary backup behind
center fielder Torii Hunter, left fielder Shannon Stewart and right
fielder Jacque Jones. Michael Cuddyer also will see playing time in
the outfield.
"It came down to us needing a left-handed hitter off the
bench," Gardenhire said, referring to Ryan.
The Twins also reassigned catcher Chris Heintz and infielder
Alex Prieto to minor league camp before leaving to play the
Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota.
With their 14 position players now set, the Twins must choose
between six pitchers left competing for two roster spots -- one in
the bullpen and one as a spot starter until Rick Helling returns
from a broken leg.
Brad Radke, Johan Santana, Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva are
entrenched in the rotation, and Joe Nathan, J.C. Romero, Juan
Rincon, Aaron Fultz and Grant Balfour will be in the bullpen.
Left-hander Brad Thomas is the leading candidate to be the No. 5
starter, leaving right-hander Seth Greisinger, right-hander Joe
Roa, right-hander Pete Munro, left-hander Carlos Pulido and
right-hander Sean Douglass.
Game notes
Helling is trying to stay upbeat as he continues his rehab.
He has been able to throw, but not off the mound, as well as ride a
stationary bike. "The bone is still in line so they think it
should heal fine," he said. Helling hopes to return sometime by
early May.