--RHP Luis Ayala formally signed a one-year contract worth $1.3 million, and said he would like to earn the vacant role as setup man to closer Joe Nathan. "I have experience at that job," said Ayala, who saved nine games for the Mets last season. "If that's the job they ask of me, I hope to do it."

--RHP Bobby Korecky, the only pitcher in Twins history to collect a hit in the Metrodome, was claimed on waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. "I'm sorry to see him go. He was a big help," said manager Ron Gardenhire. But Korecky, who saved 61 games over the last two seasons at Class AAA Rochester, was removed from the roster and sent through waivers in order to make room for free agent signee Luis Ayala.

--RHP Boof Bonser had a cortisone injection in his pitching shoulder, but a week later was still unable to throw without pain. Bonser, hoping to earn a long-relief job in the Twins' bullpen, was scheduled to undergo a second MRI exam on Feb. 23, in hopes of uncovering a cause of the lingering soreness. A first MRI exam found no structural damage.

BY THE NUMBERS: 35 -- Number of Twins, of the 55 invited, who arrived in camp three days before the mandatory reporting date, giving the team an early jump on workouts.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The one thing I just hate is, if guys do get caught, I don't want people to think that if they 'fess up like a man, that it's OK now. Well, that doesn't make it right." -- RHP Joe Nathan, on Alex Rodriguez's confession that he used steroids.