The Twins are no closer to figuring out how to wedge four outfielders into three positions, but training camp convinced them it's a great problem to have, especially since the offense is a question mark until C Joe Mauer is ready to play. There aren't any question marks in the rotation, after all five pitchers rewarded the team's faith in their development -- assuming RHP Nick Blackburn's left knee holds up and RHP Scott Baker's shoulder soreness isn't chronic.
PLAYER NOTES: --3B Joe Crede went 1-for-4 in his Twins debut.
--LHP Francisco Liriano got eight of his first 13 batters to ground out but also allowed some hard-hit balls in the first opening-day start of his career.
--CF Carlos Gomez came close to robbing Franklin Gutierrez of a home run in the sixth inning, arriving at the fence just as the ball did, but he failed to get his glove in position to make the catch.
--LHP Craig Breslow and RHP Jesse Crain each walked a batter in the ninth, and both went on to score. The Twins walked the fewest batters by far in Grapefruit League play, and manager Ron Gardenhire was upset with his staff for giving free passes Monday.
ROTATION:
1. LHP Francisco Liriano
2. RHP Nick Blackburn
3. RHP Kevin Slowey
4. LHP Glen Perkins
5. RHP R.A. Dickey
BULLPEN:
RHP Joe Nathan (closer)
RHP Jesse Crain
RHP Matt Guerrier
LHP Craig Breslow
RHP Luis Ayala
RHP Philip Humber
LHP Brian Duensing
LINEUP:
1. CF Denard Span
2. 2B Alexi Casilla
3. RF Michael Cuddyer
4. 1B Justin Morneau
5. DH Jason Kubel
6. 3B Joe Crede
7. LF Delmon Young
8. C Mike Redmond
9. SS Nick Punto
RESERVES:
CF Carlos Gomez
3B Brian Buscher
INF Brendan Harris
C Jose Morales
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Mike Redmond (right groin) was injured on opening night and was day-to-day. He also was hit in the neck and shoulder by the barrel of a broken bat but stayed in the game, then injured his groin as well.
RHP Scott Baker (stiff right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 28. He said the stiffness was so slight, its only effect was causing him to take longer to warm up. However, the Twins decided to take no chances, bumping him out of his Opening Night assignment. Baker is expected to miss just one start.
C Joe Mauer (inflamed sacroiliac joint in his lower back) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He reported improvement after being put on a new regimen of medication, but he hadn't begun spring workouts as of April 3. The Twins hope he can return in April.
RHP Boof Bonser (torn right labrum and rotator cuff surgery in February 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list on April 2. He is out for the season.
RHP Pat Neshek (right elbow surgery) went on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 21. He will remain in Florida all summer and targets a return by next spring.
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