The Twins got through a second day at training camp without any major developments. The only thing that came up was that shortstop prospect Estarlin De Los Santos has a sore shoulder - and he hasn't even reported to camp yet.
Jose Mijares explained that his tardiness to camp was due to a security check at the Caracas airport on Sunday. He missed his flight to the U.S. that day and failed to show up for the first day of the workout. The Twins acted nice, but it's got to be bothering them that Mijares has had visa and travel problems.
More position players - Jim Thome, Nick Punto, Jason Kubel, Danny Valencia and Jacque Jones among them - reported to camp. Punto, who is coming off of wrist surgery,is supposed to take it easy early - but that's like asking Vincent Chase to stick to one girl.
Punto wants to win the third base job, and history is on his side. Not only has he had good seasons in even-numbered years, he also has had good seasons when he's reported to camp without a position handed to him.
Check out my story for tomorrow's editions on Mike Maroth, who hasn't pitched in the majors since Sept., 2007. He's destined for Class AAA Rochester but he needs the innings and could be an option if he pitches well and the Twins are clobbered by injuries. Rick Anderson remembers Maroth from his days with the Tigers and, one suggestion he might make, is to not be afraid to throw inside more.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson said before camp that Scott Baker would be the Opening Day starter, which was re-confirmed on Tuesday.
``Right away we talked about it, said he should be the guy," Gardenhire said, ``He deserves it. Last year he was going to have it, and it didn't work out, so we'll try it again this year. I think he's the guy we think should be on the mound. He's been here longer than most of the rest, and I think he handles it just fine. It will be fun to see him about there."
Looks like Delmon Young has worked on his swing throughout the offseason. He looked great in the batting cage today. And there's no sign of that leg kick he began last season with. A lot of hitters (Jason Kubel, for example) end up ditching that leg kick to help get the bat started sooner.
