Twins manager Paul Molitor doesn't want Jorge Polanco to waste on the bench during his latest stint in the majors. So Polanco today is the designated hitter in a lineup that is short on power but has plenty of speed.
Polanco was called up in the aftermath of Eduardo Nunez being dealt to San Francisco on Thursday.
Molitor indicated that he'll use Polanco at a variety of positions, including second, short and third. His arm and range are best suited for second, but Molitor said Polanco's arm looked OK when he played short during spring training. His defense at third - footwork, throws, etc. - has improved at third base.
Polanco has played 64 games at second at Class AAA Rochester, two at third and none at short. He started at third on Wednesday.
Miguel Sano is in a 2-for-14 skid with no walks and nine strikeouts over his last three games. Molitor thinks Sano is pressing at the plate and needs a day off.
Joe Mauer's next walk will be the 800th of his career.
Brian Dozier is batting .306 over his last 46 games.
Robbie Grossman is batting leadoff for just the second time this season. But this will be the 101st time in his career he's led off, the most of any spot in the order.
Danny Santana has never played third base in the majors and just twice in the minors. Once was this year while on a rehab assignment at Class A Fort Myers and 2010 with Class A Beloit.
So, yes, this is an interesting lineup.
Yahoo is reporting that the Rangers are doing their, `due diligence,' on Kurt Suzuki. Not sure if the Twins will part with Suzuki that easily. They don't have a catcher ready to step in, with John Ryan Murphy batting .213 at Rochester and the offseason free agent market not looking strong. Pittsburgh proactively extended Francisco Cervelli because of the lack of quality catching that will be on the market. Matt Wieters is a free agent, but Baltimore is expected to keep him.
White Sox
Tim Anderson, SS
Tyler Saladino, 3B
Melky Cabrera, LF
Jose Abreu, 1B
Avisail Garcia, RF
The Former Twin, DH
Dionner Navarro, C
Carlos Sanchez, 2B
J.B. Shuck, CF
Miguel Gonzalez, RHP
Twins
Robbie Grossman, LF
Joe Mauer, 1B
Max Kepler, RF
Brian Dozier, 2B
Kurt Suzuki, C
Eduardo Escobar, SS
Jorge Polanco, DH
Danny Santana, 3B
Byron Buxton, CF
Tommy Milone, LHP
