BRADENTON, FLA. – Missing from the clubhouse wall in the immediate aftermath of Royce Lewis’ strained left hamstring was a tentative lineup for the Twins’ next spring training game.
Position players are given advance notice about whether they are scheduled to play the following day, particularly if they need to make a road trip, and it lets them know if they need to prepare for a certain position.
With Lewis sidelined — a moderate hamstring strain, a magnetic resonance imaging exam confirmed — Brooks Lee started just his second spring game at third base Monday.
Manager Rocco Baldelli cautioned not to read too much into one lineup with eight Grapefruit League games left, but Lee is one of the candidates for the starting third base job. Jose Miranda, who already started seven spring games at third base, played first base Monday. Another candidate to start at third, Willi Castro, was at shortstop.
“There is going to be a little bit more of a priority to get several guys over there, and you’ll see those over the next handful of days who all those guys are,” Baldelli said.
The Twins coaching staff and front office discuss injury contingencies throughout camp, but there are now intertwined competitions for two infield spots. Castro was a lead contender to start at second base with Lee and Edouard Julien as the primary competition.
As much as the Twins pride themselves on their defensive versatility, Baldelli said he wasn’t necessarily looking to mix and match with his infielders once the season begins.
“A much more productive plan is to let guys play, let them understand what their roles are, what they’re being asked to do, and then cut them loose,” Baldelli said. “That’s where you get the best versions of all these guys.”
