Twins Spring Training: News And Notes Day 4

By Ted Schwerzler |

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As the Minnesota Twins continue on with Spring Training down in Fort Myers, there’s plenty of information that continues to filter in surrounding the ballclub. Today being the last day before position players are required to report to the facility, many of them have enjoyed what will be their last day off in quite some time. Pitchers and catchers remain in full swing, and there are plenty of other happenings taking place today.

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With rain clouds moving in and potentially threatening practices throughout the day, the Twins made some changes to their morning pen sessions for pitchers. Today also is filled with some lighter activities as the organization will hit the ground running tomorrow with everyone present. Making sure the team is ready to get going with the full spring slate just around the corner, today is one of the last loose days prior to the season.

Let’s take a look at some of the days bigger storylines when it comes to what is taking place down at Hammond Stadium.

Kennys Vargas has returned!
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

To start out the day, it was announced as expected, that Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas had appeared at the facility in Fort Myers. He has been around prior to Spring Training opening, but was back in Puerto Rico earlier this week. He was one of the few players on hand as tomorrow represents the first day of mandatory reporting for position players.

Light rain falling as Twins work out. Many position players not here, since it's last off day for awhile. But @kennys_vargas has arrived.
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) February 26, 2015

While Kennys was one of the few players to be on site today, he apparently was back to launch baseballs over the fence however.

Asked Phil Roof if they recovered BP ball @kennys_vargas crushed halfway to Miami today. "We decided to let that one go."
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) February 26, 2015

When it came to pitchers putting in work today, the Twins had to shorten some of the outings due to some impending precipitation. However, here is who got in work.

Today's pen groups:
1-Nolasco, Rogers, Thompson, Achter, o'rourke
2-Santana, May, Graham, Darnell, Salcedo
3-Milone Pryor, T-bar, Oliveros
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Threat of rain prompted #MNTwins to condense bullpen sessions from 5-5-4 to 7-7. All 14 threw as planned.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Tom Kelly returned to the Twins following a stroke a few months ago, and he is ready for Spring Training. He met with reporters and shared quite a bit of information. For more on that check out our breakdown here.

Tom Kelly is here. Just gave a tremendous press conference.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

The most unfortunate thing to come from Tom Kelly’s discussion is that it sounds like he’s done doing Fox Sports North broadcasts for Twins games.

Tom Kelly said he's likely retiring from doing Fox Sports broadcasts.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) February 26, 2015

Paul Molitor doesn’t yet have his lineup set in stone. He has some good ideas how things are going to shake out though. Here is how we see things when the dust settles.

Molitor is still "toying" w/lineup construction, but Mauer won't hit lower than third.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Molitor said with position battles ongoing, he doesn't want to "get presumptuous" with batting order ideas. #Scrabble
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Molitor on Mauer's lineup spot: "I don't think he has to worry about being anywhere on the backside of three."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

When looking at his bullpen, and namely his closer Glen Perkins, Paul Molitor appears pretty set on being standard when it comes to his usage.

Molitor doesn't plan to use Perkins for save chances of 4-plus outs. "I'm going to be pretty standard with that."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Molitor on Glen Perkins: "I'm not big on trying to expand his role past the ninth inning in the short term." #MNTwins
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Mike Berardino asked Molitor if he would have considered Kelly for his bench coach. That position has been filled now by Joe Vavra.

I asked Molitor if TK would have been his dream candidate for bench coach. Said he didn't think it would be on TK's "radar." #MNTwins
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Molitor on TK: "If he’s got things he wants to still do in the game, I don’t think bench coach is one of them. That would be pretty good."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Today is also when the Twins will take the afternoon to play through their annual team golf outing. It sounds like Aaron Hicks is amongst the best players on the team, while a few others will choose to sit out.

The Twins have their annual golf outing today. Brian Dozier says he's the best golfer on the team despite the hype around Aaron Hicks ...
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) February 26, 2015

No golf today for @JOlaMaquina, although he will attend. He's tried golf before but has found the game as confounding as the rest of us.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

No golf for Phil Hughes today either. Says he plays only 2-3 times a year. Guys like Kyle Gibson, Brian Duensing -- full golf mode.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Still has to be Hicks. Averages 320 per drive. Mauer, Gibson serious too RT @glp_vt: @MikeBerardino who's the best golfer on the team?
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 26, 2015

Make sure to continue to stay tuned in for all of the Spring Training highlights you can handle.

Next: A Trip Through Renovated Hammond Stadium

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