Chris Gimenez said he received a text from Chris Rose of MLB Network's "Intentional Talk,' giving him some grief for his, 'punch them in the mouth,' comment he made about the Cleveland Indians.
Gimenez joked that he could take Rose any day.
If there is someone who could say such a thing about an opponent and get away with it, it's Gimenez, who went to the World Series last year with the Indians. Teammates laughed in the clubhouse before the game as they talked about the comments.
Twins manager Paul Molitor even said he got a good laugh this morning as he read the clips.
"I think it is a little tongue in cheek, knowing he spent a little time over there," Molitor said. "I don't think Cleveland is a team that needs much external motivation."
No Cleveland won't. The Indians have been scratching their heads over their mediocre play this season. Everyone expects them to flip a switch and turn it on, buy it has not happened yet, and the Indians come into the series two games behind the Twins in the AL Central.
So this will be an interesting weekend, as the Twins and Indians play three games in four days, including a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Twins will start Adam Wilk in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday, with Adalberto Mejia pitching the second. Hector Santiago made a bid to start on Saturday, throwing a clean bullpen on Thursday. But the Twins want Santiago to throw one more time in the bullpen then pitch in a minor league rehabilitation assignment to prove his shoulder has recovered and he's ready to come off of the disabled list.
Santiago, who underwent message therapy on Friday, will throw in the bullpen on Saturday.
The Twins have signed outfielder Brent Rooker, the 35th overall pick from Monday's draft. Press conference coming up around 5:45 p.m.
Indians outfielder Michael Brantley will not play in the series. His wife is having a baby.
Indians
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Daniel Robertson, LF
Franciaco Lindor, SS
Edwin Encarnacion, SS
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Carlos Santana, 1B
Yan Gomes, C
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Austin Jackson, CF
Carlos Carrasco, RHP
Twins
Brian Dozier, 2B
Robbie Grossman, DH
Joe Mauer, 1B
Miguel Sano, 3B
Max Kepler, RF
Jorge Polanco, SS
Jason Castro, C
Byron Buxton, CF
Eddie Rosario, LF
Nik Turley, RHP
