MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Twins will be phasing in walk-through metal detectors at Target Field starting with their home opener on April 7.

The Twins announced on Tuesday that they will start using the security devices at some gates when they open against the Oakland Athletics. It's part of Major League Baseball's initiative to have a standardized fan screening system in place at every ballpark by 2015.

The Twins say they expect all gates to have metal detectors by early May.

Twins senior vice president of operations Matt Hoy says the team believes walk-through detectors are "the most minimally-invasive, fastest and most effective way" to keep Target Field safe.

Fans who do not wish to pass through a metal detector will have the option of being checked with a hand-held device.

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