Molitor already gets batting order question
Some wondered on Thursday about Paul Molitor's lineup against the Red Sox.
Brian Dozier led off and was followed by Eddie Rosario and Joe Mauer. Miguel Sano was the cleanup hitter, followed by Trevor Plouffe and Byung Ho Park. Eduardo Escobar, Kurt Suzuki and Byron Buxton rounded out the batting order.
Managers often tinker with players in certain spots in the order during spring training games, and they don't focus on the Opening Day batting order until the final week or so of camp. Still, Molitor was asked about the lineup.
"I thought I might get that question,'' Molitor said. "That's a little premature.''
Rosario batting second, for instance, isn't likely to happen during the regular season. He walked only 15 times in 122 games last season. He's got to get his at-bats in. And someone has to bat second.
"It's not because he takes a lot of walks,'' Molitor deadpanned.
Nope, Molitor was not revealing his hand two games into spring training.
Park at the plate
Park, who struck out three times Wednesday, was aggressive earlier in the count Thursday.
He hit the first pitch he saw to right field for an RBI single in the first — his first hit and RBI as a Twin. Park, who was forced out at second on the next play, received a nice round of applause as he reached first. Sano scored on the single.
Park also swung at the first pitch in his next at-bat, although it produced a groundout to second base.
Sano show
After not getting a single ball hit his way Wednesday, Sano was in the middle of some action Thursday. Not all of it good.
Sano, who is making the transition from third base to right field, ran down Deven Marrero's bloop single in the second inning. But Travis Shaw legged out a double to right-center in the third when Sano was a little slow getting to the ball and then threw a five-bouncer to second.
Two batters later, Brennan Boesch lined one to right. Sano moved to his right and tried to adjust as the ball sailed over his head for a double.
The Twins expected some growing pains. And they were on display Thursday.
Davis' brother dies
Twins first base coach Butch Davis has left the team following the death of his brother and is expected to miss a few days.
On deck
Tommy Milone will make his first spring training appearance when he faces the Pirates in Bradenton (noon, MLB Network). Ryan Pressly, Fernando Abad and Alex Meyer are among the pitchers scheduled to follow Milone. Former Twin Francisco Liriano is scheduled to start for Pittsburgh.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III
