Twins

Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today from Fort Myers, Florida where he's covering the Twins. Jim says Randy Dobnak will begin the season in the bullpen but will likely start some games for the team this season. He says each team will likely need around 8 pitchers to start games this season and possibly more.

The Twins optioned left field prospect Alex Kirilloff to their alternate training minor league site. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says Kirilloff didn't have a great spring but has limited at-bats. He says the plan was likely to start him in the minors and bring him up early in the season.

The Twins beat the Orioles 1-0 in 7 innings in Fort Myers, Florida Tuesday to improve to 4-4 this spring. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says 1st baseman Miguel Sano, who hit a RBI double Tuesday, should remain in the field as long as possible. He says Sano is a guy who can benefit from seeing regular time in the field to help keep him engaged and in better shape.

The Twins posted a 8-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in spring training baseball Sunday in Fort Myers, Florida. Left hander Lewis Thorpe started the game for the Twins and threw 1 shutout inning. Thorpe is out of options which means he'll need to make the team out of camp or the Twins would have to expose him to waivers. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today.

The Twins play a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, Florida today at 12:05, pregame on WJON at 12:00. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says Kenta Maeda by virtue of his performance last season is the Twins' top starting pitcher.

The Twins defeated Tampa Bay 6-5 in spring training baseball Monday. Brent Rooker his a 2-run home run for Minnesota in the win. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan says if the Twins decide to wait to bring up prospect Alex Kiriloff to play left field the Twins could go with Brent Rooker.

Former Twins 2nd baseball Brian Dozier announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 33 Thursday. Dozier played 7 seasons for the Twins and hit 167 homeruns. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. Jim says Dozier came up as a short stop with some power and ability to hit for power and turned himself into a pull power hitter and gold glove 2nd baseman.

The Twins signed right handed relief pitcher Alex Colome to a 1-year $2.5 Million contract with an option for a 2nd season. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says Colome made sense for the Twins when the White Sox chose to go with Liam Hendricks as their closer this season.

The Twins agreed to sign 40-year old designated hitter Nelson Cruz to a 1-year $13 Million contract. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says the Twins know what to expect from Cruz. He says Cruz will give them professional at-bats, drive in runs, hit in the clutch and be a positive in the club house. Jim says Cruz' age is a concern but with Cruz' hard work he's optimistic he won't hit the wall this season.

The Twins agreed to sign free agent shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a 1-year contract worth an estimated worth $10.5 Million. Star Tribune Sports columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says this signing allows the Twins to improve their defense at shortstop and at 2nd base with Jorge Polanco moving to that position.