Twins Release Lineup Card Ahead Of Opening Day
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Twins open their regular season at Detroit on Monday, and the team has already been thrown a big curve ball with its roster.
The Twins signed Ervin Santana to a four-year, $55 million contract in the offseason, and he was suspended for 80 games on Friday by Major League Baseball for steroid use. Phil Hughes will get the start Monday against the Tigers.
Paul Molitor, in his first season as manager, already has released the lineup card for Opening Day. It comes with a few surprises.
After spending a good portion of last season in center field, Danny Santana will be the leadoff hitter and play shortstop. Brian Dozier, who signed a contract extension during Spring Training, will bat second and play second base.
Joe Mauer, moved from catcher to first base last year, will return to first and bat third. Mauer missed the last month of last year with a concussion but said all spring he feels great. Batting clean-up: Free agent outfield acquisition Torii Hunter, who will play right field.
Kennys Vargas, who has plenty of power with the bat but isn't quite ready yet to be a regular defensive player, will be the designated hitter and bat fifth. Trevor Plouffe will return to third base and bat sixth. Oswaldo Arcia adds another power bat to the lineup in the seventh spot and will play left field. Catcher Kurt Suzuki, an All-Star last year and one of the team's most steady players, will bat eighth.
The Twins will put some speed at the bottom of the lineup. Jordan Schafer will play center field and bat ninth. After four straight years with at least 90 losses, the Twins are predicted by most experts to struggle again this year. But the true joy of Opening Day is that everyone, for one day, is 0-0.
