Minnesota Twins Daily Clips. Saturday, March 25, 2017

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1 Minnesota Twins Daily Clips Saturday, March 25, 2017 Twins Insider: It's coming to decision time soon for a few spots on roster. Star Tribune (La Velle E. Neal III) p. 1 Reusse: Fun of WBC over, Rosario back to business with Twins. Star Tribune (Reusse) p. 2 Twins day at camp: Struggling reliever J.T. Chargois 'needs to go improve' in Rochester. Star Tribune (Miller) p. 3 Ervin Santana returns looking sharp as Twins, Orioles tie. Star Tribune (Miller) p. 4 Northstar rail, bus service available to all Twins home games. Star Tribune (Moore) p. 5 Minnesota Twins: Hard-throwing Chargois optioned after rocky spring. Pioneer Press (Berardino) p. 5 Twins Jose Berrios stakes claim to rotation spot: That s why I m here. Pioneer Press (Berardino) p. 6 Tom Powers: Twins transition year won t be pretty, but it s necessary. Pioneer Press (Powers) p. 8 Santana returns with 6 K's in tie with Orioles. MLB (Bollinger and Brittany Ghiroli) p. 9 Ervin on track for Twins after WBC '17 run. MLB (Bollinger) p. 9 Puerto Rico crew rejoins Twins from Classic. MLB (Bollinger) p. 10 Chargois optioned, likely to close at Triple-A. MLB (Bollinger) p. 11 Twins Insider: It's coming to decision time soon for a few spots on roster La Velle E. Neal III Star Tribune March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, FLA. It's about that time. Over the next few days, managers will craft their preferred lineups to start the season with. Relievers will work back-to-back games for the first time all spring. Equipment will begin to be loaded onto the truck yes, it arrived here Friday for the trip back to Minnesota. And the Twins will decide which players will be on the Opening Day roster. The first roster assembled by Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey and General Manager Thad Levine. The first roster since a franchise-record 103 losses in "I think that there has been good competition," manager Paul Molitor said. "A lot of guys in the mix have had outings where you kind of nod in approval, whereas at other times it has been a little more sketchy. We have some people who have some surrounding circumstances over their personal situation that might have to be included in how we proceed." Now that the Puerto Rican players on the team have returned from the World Baseball Classic, the Twins can proceed with their final roster decisions. They still have a whopping 43 players left in camp with just over a week left. So who makes the charter to the Twin Cities? Who makes the 500-yard walk to the minor league facility? Position players basically set: The daily lineup might be most attractive aspect of Twins baseball this season. It's full of players with upside who took their lumps last season. Catcher Jason Castro will be only newcomer to the lineup. The only competition is for designated hitter. Kennys Vargas played for Puerto Rico at the WBC and appeared in just three games, getting nine at bats. Meanwhile, ByungHo Park is batting.359 with four homers and nine RBI. Vargas hurt his chances by leaving camp, but Park is not on the 40-man roster, which could come into play when it's time for final roster decisions. Molitor has repeatedly said that Park has not locked up anything. However, it's clear that the South Korean has the edge.

2 "Park has had a good camp," Molitor said. "You watch him, and he looks comfortable." Bench roles might not change much: Robbie Grossman's spot in the bench appeared to be in danger, but the Twins like his ability to get on base and Molitor has said his defense has been better this spring. Will his right hamstring strain be healed by Opening Day? J.B. Shuck and Drew Stubbs are glove-first guys the Twins could look to if Grossman's injury lingers. Eduardo Escobar has batted.289 this spring and should return as the utility player, although Ehire Adrianza can pick it and is batting.313. Chris Gimenez looks to be the choice as the backup catcher. Danny Santana can play the infield and outfield and can pinch run. Mejia makes his move: Adalberto Mejia looked to be a long shot to make the rotation at the start of camp. But the lefthander has opened eyes with a 1.88 ERA and a fastball that reaches 95 miles per hour. Tyler Duffey is trying to rally after a shaky beginning. Trevor May is out for the year because of Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. An opening appeared, and Mejia is taking advantage. "There's a lot to like," pitching coach Neil Allen said after Mejia's outing on Monday. Assembling a seven-man bullpen tricky: The Twins sent the struggling J.T. Chargois to the minors Friday, a blow for a bullpen that can use a live arm. Brandon Kintzler will close. Ryan Pressly and Matt Belisle will help with set up duties. The lefthanders look to be Craig Breslow and Taylor Rodgers. They wanted Ryan Vogelsong to be the long reliever, but he prefers to start and asked for his release. Michael Tonkin was clearly on the bubble early, but recent developments might have opened a spot for him. That leaves one spot for a handful of arms left in camp. Nick Tepesch or Duffey could stick as a long reliever. With just over a week left in camp, the bullpen is where the Twins have their toughest decisions. Reusse: Fun of WBC over, Rosario back to business with Twins Patrick Reusse Star Tribune March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, FLA. There is one week left in southwest Florida for the Twins and then they head north for the 57th season of American League baseball in Minnesota. There have to be a few hundred folks back home taking an interest in this, although feedback on written or spoken words concerning the 2017 ballclub has offered little evidence of that. The gloom of last summer has turned to the silence of spring, but if anyone is lining the canary cage with the Saturday edition of the Star Tribune and happens upon this missive, I would like to offer this Sid-like ray of hope: The Twins are going to have an outfield to enjoy as the young men occupying those positions improve their big-league status, while the Twins and the White Sox battle mightily for fourth place in the AL Central. Max Kepler arrived in Minnesota earlier than anticipated as a rookie last season, and offered promise with 17 home runs and 63 RBI in 113 games played. He turned 24 in February and will be in right field every day. Byron Buxton was rushed in for a look in 2015 and couldn't handle big-league pitching, and had the same problem in his first two stays with the 2016 Twins. Finally, when he came back Sept. 1, Buxton was willing to turn loose his swing and was very good over his final 29 games. Buxton will play this season as a 23-year-old. He will be in center every day and play that position with range that even Torii Hunter at his zenith would not have topped. You can find many analysts to buy into the Buxton and Kepler part of this outfield formula, and also are not at all convinced in the certainty of success for the third piece: Eddie Rosario, now 25, in left field. I see that swing and remember Doug Mientkiewicz, a minor league manager, telling me a few years back that Rosario was the "best hitter in the organization," and keep believing that the line drives seen from Eddie in flashes will turn into much more than that. Admittedly, I figured it would happen last season, and manager Paul Molitor must have figured the same, as the schedule opened in Baltimore on April 4 with Rosario in left field and batting fifth. 2

3 Yes, fifth. By the middle of May, Eddie was batting.200, with seven extra-base hits in 32 games, and was sent to Rochester. Rosario had a well-earned reputation for swinging at everything, so pitchers stopped throwing him strikes and he was getting himself out. He has been a nightmare in on-base percentage 27 walks total while playing in 214 big-league games over the past two seasons. On Friday, Rosario was back with the Twins after playing right field for Puerto Rico's runner-up team in the World Baseball Classic. He batted.375 and drove in five runs, including a sacrifice fly that defeated Netherlands in extra innings in the semifinals Monday in Los Angeles. This set off a wild on-field celebration, with Rosario in the middle of it. Best baseball moment? "No, no," Rosario said. "It was fun; not the greatest baseball moment. We all wanted to win for our country, but what happens here [with the Twins] is more important." Puerto Rico played three games in Jalisco, Mexico, March 9-12, three more games in San Diego March 14-18, and then the two games earlier this week in Dodger Stadium: The semifinal victory over the Netherlands on Monday and the 8-0 loss to the USA in the title game on Wednesday. Rosario was feeling sick and didn't make the parade in San Juan on Thursday to honor the Puerto Rican team. He was recovered and back in the Twins lineup on Friday after a three-week absence. He was asked if there was an uneasy feeling about being ready for the season after not being on a regular spring training schedule? "I think it is the opposite," Rosario said. "Playing in games that mean something in March we are definitely ready for the season. "Everything about it was so different, but that was good. We were all proud to play for Puerto Rico and do well for our country. Our people could forget about the violence and the bad economy for a few days, and enjoy something good like exciting baseball." Eventually, we got to the question about on-base percentage. Was drawing more walks a big part of Rosario's approach to his third big-league season? He frowned and said: "I had four walks in the World Classic," he said. "I don't see it as something to worry about." So the plan is to stay ultra-aggressive at the plate? Rosario offered a nod. Go ahead, Eddie, swing away. It's your year. I'm confident in that, even if seeing this nod would've given the on-base crowd chest pains. Twins day at camp: Struggling reliever J.T. Chargois 'needs to go improve' in Rochester Phil Miller Star Tribune March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, Fla. J.T. Chargois chances of opening the season in the Twins bullpen got off to a rocky start, and never recovered. But Paul Molitor, shortly after dispatching the reliever to Class AAA Rochester, said he still believes in a pitcher that many scouts project as a future closer. We tried to affirm that we haven t lost faith that he s a major pitcher, the Twins manager said. He just needs to go improve on some things. Chargois, regarded six weeks ago as a strong contender to claim a role in the bullpen, appeared in eight games this spring, and allowed runs in five of them, and never recorded a hitless inning. Molitor feared the 26-year-old Louisianan was letting each poor outing make matters worse, making his eventual option to Triple-A inevitable. You can see how bad he wants it. It has almost worked against him, Molitor said. We talked about fastball command, his tempo on the mound. Things we have seen at times last year, but this spring has been a little inconsistent. For Berrios benefit 3

4 Hector Santiago returned from the World Baseball Classic energized by the experience, he said, and ready to reclaim his spot in the Twins rotation. Jose Berrios situation is much less clear, but Santiago said he is certain the 18 days away will help, not hurt, his young teammate. It s got to make the games so much easier, after being on the field with that intensity, Santiago said. Berrios pitched only twice: a five-inning start vs. Italy on March 10, and an eight-batter relief appearance vs. Team USA in Wednesday s championship game. The Puerto Rican team, which also included Eddie Rosario and Kennys Vargas, flew to San Juan on Thursday for a parade, and the four Twins came straight to camp from the airport when they arrived Friday afternoon. It was a tiring schedule, Santiago said, but worth it for an amazing, amazing experience. He will pitch Saturday night in Sarasota vs. the Orioles, and figures he s right on schedule for the regular season after making three appearances, each at least 48 pitches long, in the WBC. Five innings or 75 pitches tomorrow, then six or 90 next week, and that s where I usually am at the end of spring training, Santiago said. Etc. Glen Perkins met with Twins bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine earlier this week to discuss options about how the reliever s rehab from shoulder surgery should proceed once camp breaks. Perkins has yet to throw with maximum effort, and opening the season on the 60-day disabled list is a possibility, for sure, Falvey said. But nothing has been decided, and the Twins won t put a target date on any possibility return, he said. Kennys Vargas, in his first game back from the WBC, fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning and left the game after flying out. X-rays were negative, but he s sore, Molitor said. On deck Adalberto Mejia and Tyler Duffey will face minor leaguers in the morning, hoping to strengthen their case for the starting rotation. Later Saturday, the Twins will face Baltimore again in Sarasota. Ervin Santana returns looking sharp as Twins, Orioles tie Phil Miller Star Tribune March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, Fla. Byron Buxton was in the middle of the Twins' big inning Friday, and from an unusual spot. It's possible it won't seem that unusual before long. Batting third in the Twins lineup for the second time this week, the center fielder lined a double to left-center during the Twins' five-run second inning, one of four run-scoring, two-out hits. But the Twins didn't score again, and they settled for a 5-5 tie with the Orioles at Hammond Stadium, but manager Paul Molitor sounded intrigued by his latest unusual lineup. And it helped him solidify a decision he's been contemplating. "One thing I'm pretty sure of is, you won't see Byron leading off. He's got more value in a lot of places," Molitor said of his speediest player. "I have the right to change, [but] that's what I'm thinking right now." Ervin Santana, meanwhile, struck out six Orioles in a four-inning return to Twins camp after his 10-day World Baseball Classic interlude, allowing only an unearned run and four hits. Santana will make his final Grapefruit League start next Wednesday, in preparation for pitching the 2017 season opener on April 3. How the lineup around him will look has become a preoccupation for Molitor lately, and the apparent strides Buxton has taken over a year ago makes the tinkering even more captivating. Buxton has seven doubles and a home run this spring, is batting.263 in Grapefruit League play, and has played with far more self-assurance. "I'm like everybody we're pleased," Molitor said. "The way he's gone about his at-bats and his work, it adds to his confidence and ours as well [about] how we use him." 4

5 Buxton is not necessarily the third hitter in the order, but he won't bat ninth, as he has in 104 of his 123 career starts, either. "Extra-base potential, steal a base with two outs, opportunities to drive in runs we've learned to break things down a little bit deeper," Molitor said. The lineup went Brian Dozier-Max Kepler-Buxton-Joe Mauer on Friday, and they produced four straight run-scoring hits and a 5-1 lead in the Twins' big inning, But Michael Tonkin gave up a home run to Chris Johnson in the sixth inning, and Drew Rucinski gave up a three-run shot into the right-field seats by Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini in the seventh, tying the score. It was declared a tie after nine innings; the teams also tied 6-6 on March 2. Northstar rail, bus service available to all Twins home games Janet Moore Star Tribune March 24, 2017 Northstar Commuter Rail and the Northstar Link Commuter Bus will provide service for all Twins home games at Target Field, beginning April 3 with the home opener. The Northstar Link bus service from St. Cloud and Becker is timed to connect with Northstar trains at the Big Lake Station. After the games, fans can board the train to Big Lake at scheduled departure times or 30 minutes after the end of the game. The northbound train will leave Target Field 30 minutes after fireworks show on June 16; on July 3, 7 and 21; and on Aug. 4 and 18. Northstar Link bus rides cost $2 one-way. Northstar Line train fares are paid separately. Minnesota Twins: Hard-throwing Chargois optioned after rocky spring Mike Berardino Pioneer Press March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, Fla. Hard-throwing reliever J.T. Chargois was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester Friday after a disappointing showing in bigleague camp. The 26-year-old was shipped out with an 8.64 earned-run average in eight spring outings. In 8 1/3 innings, he allowed 16 hits, including two home runs. He also hit two batters, walked three and allowed a.410 batting average. I think he put a lot of pressure on himself this spring and he had more trouble slowing the game down out there, Twins manager Paul Molitor said. We ve seen that in the past, but it seemed like he gained ground in that regard near the end of last year. Over his final 13 outings as a rookie last season, the former second-round pick out of Rice posted a 0.79 ERA with 10 strikeouts and just two walks in 11 1/3 innings. It s about commanding his pitches, doing better with the running game, throwing to bases, tempo, Molitor said. He overthinks between pitches where the time becomes an issue. You lose that flow. Chargois was understandably disappointed. It was hard news to give to him because I know how much he wanted it, but we affirmed we feel he s a major league pitcher-in-waiting here, Molitor said. He s just got to go out there and take care of some of these things. PERKINS SUMMIT Rehabbing closer Glen Perkins met with Twins officials on Thursday to map out a plan as he moves into the season. Opening the year on the disabled list is a certainty. The larger topic is whether Perkins, coming off June 23 shoulder surgery, should be placed on the 60-day DL in order to clear another 40-man roster spot for potential additions such as catcher Chris Gimenez, first baseman Byung Ho Park or reliever Alex Wimmers. It s a possibility, for sure, Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said. We haven t made that determination yet. Under the collective bargaining agreement, Perkins would have to sign off on any DL plan, length included. If he s on the 60-day DL, he won t be 5

6 able to appear in a big-league game before June 1. Falvey said the front office and Perkins are on the same page about his status and are considering various ways to approach the next phase of his rehab program. Falvey has watched video of Perkins bullpen sessions and said he s moving fine and has continued to progress. PARK FINE Park insisted his surgically repaired right hand was fine a day after receiving trainer attention on it after Thursday s game at Clearwater. No problem, Park said through a translator. Park, hitting.359 with four home runs through 39 spring at-bats, reiterated he has backed off on the marathon practice sessions he put himself through in the batting cage last spring. Because I know how to do it here, I m taking a little less (swings) compared to last season, he said. Falvey called Park s spring solid. He s had a really nice camp, Falvey said. As we said at the outset, we hoped with a rebound and a fully healthy spring, we d see a little bit better Byung Ho Park than I think he felt he showed last year. I don t think that s changed. He feels good. Park also was apologetic for not reaching second base on a pop-fly single that dropped in front of Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Howie Kendrick. Along with Max Kepler, who failed to score from first on the play, Park heard from the Twins coaching staff about his baserunning. I thought I was running hard, Park said, but if Molitor says I wasn t running hard, I ll try my best to run hard next time. I know that s a fundamental play. I know I can do it. BRIEFLY Right-hander Tyler Duffey and lefty Adalberto Mejia travel across town Saturday morning to face minor leaguers at the Boston Red Sox complex. Mejia will face Triple-A Pawtucket with Chris Gimenez catching while Duffey will face Double-A Portland paired with catcher John Ryan Murphy. Kennys Vargas, just back from the WBC, left Friday s game after fouling a ball off a tendon in his left foot in the third inning. X-rays were negative, showing only a bruise. He s sore, said Molitor, who regretted not going out to check on Vargas until after he flied to right and hobbled halfway down the line. Ervin Santana, in his first start back from the WBC, allowed an unearned run across four innings in a 5-5 tie against the Baltimore Orioles. He started 14 of 19 batters with strikes, produced 12 swing-and-miss strikes and was pleased with his changeup on a 78-pitch night. Twins Jose Berrios stakes claim to rotation spot: That s why I m here Mike Berardino Pioneer Press March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, Fla. Upon returning Friday afternoon from the World Baseball Classic, Twins right-hander Jose Berrios reaffirmed his intent to claim the final spot in the starting rotation. That s why I m here, the 22-year-old pitching prospect said. I don t want to lose anything. So I keep competing and do my job and see what they want to do. First, however, Berrios slowly made his way through the entire clubhouse so he could shake the hand of every teammate. Literally welcomed back with open arms, the talented pitcher with the mid-90s fastball wasted no time washing out the bleach blond hair that became the trademark of Team Puerto Rico (aka Team Rubio ) during its riveting run to a second straight WBC runner-up finish. ADVERTISING I did that (Thursday), Berrios said. I didn t want to be here with blond hair. Fellow Twins Hector Santiago, Eddie Rosario and Kennys Vargas returned from the WBC and Thursday s six-hour celebration back in San Juan with their frosted tops intact, but that figures to be temporary. The high from going 7-1 on the world stage could last a lifetime. 6

7 The people in Puerto Rico, they love us, Berrios said. We were impressed with the love they showed us. Vargas, who played sparingly in the tournament, took it even further. That s the biggest parade I ve seen in my life, he said. We are heroes back home. We didn t win, but we are heroes because we did the yellow hair. We got everybody together. Despite being charged with three earned runs in a 40-pitch relief outing in Wednesday s 8-0 loss to Team USA, Berrios stole the show with strikeouts of Giancarlo Stanton, Jonathan Lucroy, Ian Kinsler and Christian Yelich. It was great for me, but you know what? he said. I prepare every day my stuff and my mind, to do that. I have to do that because if I have to play at that level, I m going to face a lot of people like that. You have to do your job, whatever it is, up there (in the majors). He threw 62 pitches on March 12 in a five-inning start against Italy and then threw a pair of bullpen sessions with a 50-pitch live batting practice during the nine-day break between outings. I feel great; I feel healthy, Berrios said. I know they used different starting pitchers but I prepared myself to start the game. My body and my mind feel strong. I feel ready. Tentatively set to start on Monday, either against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton or against minor leaguers on the back fields of the Twins complex, Berrios was expected to meet with manager Paul Molitor and pitching coach Neil Allen before firming up those plans. I don t know what they want me to do, but I m ready for that, Berrios said. Right now I m here, and I ll prepare myself to do it again. And if it turns out that he won t have enough time to win a rotation spot before the season opener on April 3 against Kansas City? I accept that because I went to the WBC and played in that, he said. I m OK with what decision they make, so I will prepare myself to be ready for that one day. Berrios threw just four innings against Grapefruit League competition before departing for the WBC on March 6. In his absence, right-hander Tyler Duffey and lefty Adalberto Mejia have separated themselves from the pack as strong candidates to claim the final rotation spot. Santiago, scheduled to make the three-hour roundtrip to start Saturday night at the Baltimore Orioles, laughed when asked how he s going to come back down from the high of WBC competition. I don t know, he said. Coming back from something like that, you re ready for the season, man. You re not going to face any lineup like that. I just saw the best of the best. Normally a starter, Santiago worked out of the bullpen three times at the WBC. His fastball velocity jumped into the mid-90s and his earned-run average was 2.08 with nine strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. I couldn t believe how good I felt coming out of the pen, he said. You d be two or three pitches into warming up, and you were ready to go. Adrenaline was pumping. It s completely different from a spring training game. The crowds are going crazy and you re there to win. Riding back to the San Juan airport Friday morning, Santiago snapped a picture that summed up what this Puerto Rican national team meant to the island nation. It was kids on a baseball field, Santiago said. They had their hair tanned and they were playing with a stick and a rock. That s what the whole thing was all about. We didn t win a gold medal but we won the hearts of all the Puerto Rican fans and all the kids over there. It was pretty amazing. Tom Powers: Twins transition year won t be pretty, but it s necessary Tom Powers Pioneer Press March 24,

8 No one should resent Derek Falvey and Thad Levine for taking a year to evaluate their new team before implementing serious corrective measures. Sitting through the 2017 Twins season will about as pleasant as watching a private screening of Hot Tub Time Machine 2, but it s unavoidable. Tom PowersThe Twins open April 3 at home against the Kansas City Royals and likely will begin another lost year in the Central Division. Falvey and Levine, among the new breed of baseball executives, need time to assess their personnel. They need time to invent algorithms, apply metrics and deploy sub-systems designed to enhance the players wrc+, xfip and OOZ ratings. And we all know the Twins OOZed quite a bit in Until they have all the new-age numbers ironed out and can start building successful ballplayers one metric at a time, the new fellows probably won t be disturbed by too much crowd noise. The Twins still play baseball, sort of, and it s still summertime in beautiful Minnesota, but a lot of folks have been beaten down by the current stretch of futility and may not want to sit through another horrid season. That s what they tell me, anyway. When the team first moved into Target Field, the ballclub was good and the park was like a new toy. As the team regressed, it was said that Target Field was a destination in itself that people wanted the ball park experience as much as they wanted to see a baseball game. This has run its course. The Twins were historically bad in 2016 and the novelty of the ballpark has worn off. As a result, we likely will see more desperate promotions to attract disgruntled fans. Perhaps the promo department will hide free meat under the seats, tape dollar bills behind the urinals, or shove an entire Northern Pike into a Bloody Mary. By August, we may be able to get free tickets with an eight-gallon fill-up at a local gas station chain. I m not blaming anybody because this is unavoidable. Falvey and Levine must study what they have to work with; we can t expect them to barrel in and blindly start making major trades or signing expensive free agents. They did give catcher Jason Castro a.232 career hitter but star pitch-framer a three-year, $24.5 million deal. But every team needs a catcher, otherwise the ball rolls all the way to the backstop after every pitch. Before getting down to serious work, the new guys need to get a handle on things, not just with regards to the current Twins players but also with the rest of the front office, the scouts, support personnel. The minor- and major-league field staffs will be under eye-straining scrutiny in Meanwhile, Paul Molitor seems like a lame duck manager. And clearly there must be major organizational changes on the horizon for a farm system that can t seem to develop and/or refine the talent of top prospects. Some of these kids get up here and look lost. In fairness, some might not actually be top prospects. That will be up to Falvey and Levine to figure out, too. In the meantime, Falvey did what the previous administration often did going into spring training. Other than signing Castro to fill a gaping hole, he nipped around the edges by adding castoffs, Rule Fivers, aging veterans and rehabbers. They all were declared in the mix, which is more of a toxic stew than a mix. Maybe he really had high hopes for some of these gentlemen. My guess is Falvey was just filling gaps while keeping the core group intact for observation. The hiring of Falvey officially marked the end of the Twins way. That s good because the organization had fallen behind the times. But as much as it hurts me to say it never mind watch it this is one of those seasons that won t be judged by the Twin final place in the standings. Oh, the Twins will say it s all about wins and losses. What are they supposed to say, don t bother coming to the park? Yet this is a transitional year. The new people must get comfortable in their positions and then take stock of all that is happening around them. And what is going on around them may not be pleasing to the eye. Regardless, there are several exciting players on the team. You ll have to decide if they are worth the price of admission. Personally, I m going to take my grandchildren to a few ballgames this summer. To me, watching baseball on a summer s evening remains a joyous experience. And if the score gets out of hand, I ll go for the giant, fish-stuffed Bloody Mary, or perhaps hunt for the free sausage hidden under the bleacher seats. Santana returns with 6 K's in tie with Orioles Rhett Bollinger and Brittany Ghiroli MLB March 23,

9 FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Trey Mancini hit a three-run homer and Chris Johnson hit a solo shot to help the Orioles mount a late comeback and force a 5-5 tie with the Twins on Friday night at Hammond Stadium. Mancini tied the game with a three-run homer in the seventh off reliever Drew Rucinski. It came after Johnson hit a solo homer off right-hander Michael Tonkin in the sixth. Twins right-hander Ervin Santana, all but assured to be Minnesota's starter on Opening Day for a second straight year, allowed an unearned run on four hits with six strikeouts over four strong innings. It was Santana's first start since Saturday, when he pitched in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic against Team USA. "Everything was good," Santana said. "I was happy with the performance. I kept the ball down for the most part." Orioles second baseman Ryan Flaherty, returning to the lineup from a shoulder injury, led off the game with a double and scored on a throwing error from third baseman Miguel Sano. Baltimore right-hander Mike Wright, competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, struggled, surrendering five runs on seven hits over two innings. His ERA is now at 8.38 this spring. "I didn't feel like my sinker was as good as it has been the past three or four games, but I still feel like I did a decent job locating," he said. "That's obviously not going to be the case when I go back and look at film, but it felt good." Kennys Vargas, in his first game since returning from the Classic, opened the scoring for the Twins with an RBI groundout before Brian Dozier plated a run with a single to right. Max Kepler and Byron Buxton both smacked RBI doubles before Joe Mauer scored Buxton with a single. Vargas later left the game with a left foot contusion after fouling a ball off the foot in the third. Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario made an impressive defensive play in the fourth, when he threw out Chance Sisco at home as he tried to score from second on a single from Rule 5 Draft pick Aneury Tavarez. WHAT'S NEXT Orioles: Gabriel Ynoa will get the start Saturday night (6:05 ET) looking to make a strong impression. In the mix for the fifth starter's spot, Ynoa has allowed three earned runs over 8 2/3 spring innings. He will face the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Twins: The Twins have another night game against the Orioles on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. CT, and left-hander Hector Santiago will make his first start since joining the team after his stint in the Classic with Team Puerto Rico. Santiago threw 63 pitches in relief on Monday, and the plan is to stretch him out to 75 pitches. Tyler Duffey and Adalberto Mejia are pitching in Minor League games to stay stretched out. Ervin on track for Twins after WBC '17 run Rhett Bollinger MLB March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins right-hander Ervin Santana was solid in his second-to-last start before his projected Opening Day outing against the Royals on April 3, tossing four strong innings in a 5-5 tie with the Orioles on Friday night. Santana, who last pitched on Saturday when he allowed four runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings for the Dominican Republic in a loss to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, said everything went according to plan against Baltimore. He was able to work on his off-speed pitches, especially his changeup. Santana gave up an unearned run on four hits while striking out six batters, and he still hasn't allowed an earned run in Grapefruit League play in nine innings. "I'm just keeping my routine," Santana said. "I'm not trying to do anything different. It's been good." Santana added that he came out of his outing in the Classic without any issues, despite the fact he missed a scheduled start in mid-march, going nine days between outings. He also enjoyed his experience in the tournament. "It was intense," Santana said. "It was like a playoff game or even more than that." 9

10 Worth noting Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas suffered a left foot contusion Friday when he fouled the ball off the foot in the third inning. He left the game and is day to day. If he were to miss extended time, it gives even more of an advantage to ByungHo Park for at-bats at DH. The Twins met with closer Glen Perkins about a plan going forward as he tries to come back from left labrum surgery. Perkins hasn't progressed past 25-pitch bullpen sessions, and he could be a candidate to open the year on the 60-day disabled list. Puerto Rico crew rejoins Twins from Classic Rhett Bollinger MLB March 24, 2017 FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins' four-man contingent from Team Puerto Rico returned to camp on Friday after coming up short in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against Team USA on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Kennys Vargas returned to the lineup as designated hitter and Eddie Rosario started in left field against the Orioles, while left-hander Hector Santiago will start against Baltimore on Saturday night in Sarasota. The Twins are still deciding on a plan for right-hander Jose Berrios, who threw 40 pitches on Wednesday and might not be stretched out enough to make Minnesota's rotation when camp ends. "We have ideas," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He got in here kind of late, and we barely had a chance to say hello. We're working on it. We should have more of an idea tomorrow." Berrios, though, said he believes he has time to get stretched out, as he threw 62 pitches in his first outing in a start against Team Italy on March 12. He threw two bullpen sessions and a 50-pitch live session before his 40-pitch outing against Team USA. "That's why I'm here," Berrios said. "I'm going to keep competing and do my job. I'll see what they do." Berrios said he believed the experience was worth it, even if it might mean opening the year at Triple-A Rochester. His main competition for the fifth-starter job remains Adalberto Mejia and Tyler Duffey, and they're both scheduled to pitch in Minor League games against the Red Sox on Saturday. "I accept that because I wanted to play in the WBC," Berrios said. "I'm OK with whatever decision they make. I prepared myself to be ready for Opening Day." Santiago, meanwhile, threw 63 pitches in relief against the Netherlands on Monday, and said he's scheduled to throw 75 pitches on Saturday. Santiago, a lock for the rotation, said there shouldn't be any issues getting stretched out and that he loved the experience. "It was amazing," Santiago said. "It was exciting. It was unbelievable. In the final game, there were 51,000 and it felt like 200,000. A base hit was like the sound of a grand slam. It was just awesome." Rosario, Minnesota's starting left fielder, saw plenty of action in the Classic, batting.316/.375/.526 in six games. But Vargas, competing with ByungHo Park for the everyday designated-hitter role, received only nine at-bats, collecting two hits, including a homer. Molitor said there is still time for Vargas to win the job, as Park would have to be added to 40-man roster, but it's clear Vargas is no longer the front-runner, especially with Park's strong spring. "I don't know if 'disappointed' is the right word," Molitor said. "But it concerns me some he hasn't seen a lot of live pitching or had game situations." Chargois optioned, likely to close at Triple-A Rhett Bollinger MLB March 24,

11 FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Hard-throwing right-hander J.T. Chargois, competing for a spot in the Twins' bullpen, was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday after struggling in recent outings. Chargois, ranked as Minnesota's No. 11 prospect, was a top candidate to make the bullpen but posted an 8.64 ERA in eight outings, allowing two home runs and walking three. Chargois, 26, made his debut last year, posting a 4.70 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 12 walks in 23 innings. He pitched better after a rocky debut on June 11, posting a 2.82 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings after being called up again in mid-august. Chargois is expected to close at Rochester, and the Twins want him to refine his command, as he has plus-stuff, including a fastball that averaged 96.2 mph last year. With Chargois optioned, the bullpen is starting to take shape. Closer Brandon Kintzler, Ryan Pressly, Matt Belisle, Craig Breslow and Taylor Rogers are locks, leaving two open spots. Rule 5 Draft pick Justin Haley could make the team as a long reliever, and Michael Tonkin is out of Minor League options. Lefty Buddy Boshers remains in the mix, and there's still a chance Tyler Duffey could be moved to bullpen. 11