The Twins liked the team that missed the playoffs by one game in 2008, and they are willing to bank on internal improvement by the young players to make up that margin this year. 

Nick Blackburn worked particularly hard on leg strength during the winter, determined not to let minor surgery on his left knee affect his preparation for the 2009 season. 

--C Joe Mauer has been slowed by a sore back, slowing his rehabilitation from Dec. 

Ian Snell isn't Puerto Rican, so why he's starting for Team Puerto Rico? Ken Rosenthal knows the very special reason why. 

--C Joe Mauer has been slowed by a sore back, slowing his rehabilitation from Dec. 

The Twins liked the team that missed the playoffs by one game in 2008, and they are willing to bank on internal improvement by the young players to make up that margin this year. 

Nick Blackburn worked particularly hard on leg strength during the winter, determined not to let minor surgery on his left knee affect his preparation for the 2009 season. 

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been hampered by back pain, hurting his rehab from offseason kidney surgery. 

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been hampered by back pain, hurting his rehab from offseason kidney surgery. 

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been hampered by back pain, hurting his rehab from offseason kidney surgery. 

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been hampered by back pain, hurting his rehab from offseason kidney surgery. 

Scott Kazmir felt so good in his first spring training game that he had to concentrate on taking it easy. 

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig says he's proud of how far the sport has come in attempting to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs. 

Ian Snell isn't Puerto Rican, so why he's starting for Team Puerto Rico? Ken Rosenthal knows the very special reason why. 

Francisco Liriano is getting stronger with each spring training start.