--3B Joe Crede lined two singles off Orioles pitching on March 11, and though it was only a meaningless spring game, Crede was relieved. The former White Sox All-Star began Grapefruit League play on an 0-for-14 skid. The Twins remain pleased with Crede's progress, however, after offseason back surgery. "He's swinging better as we go along," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

--RHP Jesse Crain struck out all four hitters he faced in his lone WBC appearance for Canada, using a new pitch that he said is a hybrid of a curveball and a slider. The sharply breaking pitch, combined with an adjustment in Crain's delivery, has allowed him to keep the ball down and gives him confidence he can fill the Twins' vacant setup role.

--LHP Jose Mijares has walked five hitters in four innings this spring, and manager Ron Gardenhire has voiced doubts about the reliever's conditioning. Mijares, who is listed at 230 pounds, was warned to report to camp in shape. "He came to camp in a shape," Gardenhire complained dryly. "We've said all along, this guy isn't a lock. He's got to do it on the field again."

BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Home runs by CF Carlos Gomez in his first 22 at-bats this spring; no other Twin had more than one homer in the first dozen Grapefruit League games.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The fact that I'm not throwing the breaking ball well makes me want to throw more breaking balls. So it's kind of a Catch-22 right now." -- Scott Baker, on his 7.20 ERA and six home runs allowed in three spring starts.