Twins' day at camp: New boss making his presence known

Ryan entered the chamber only when he needed to conduct business. Falvey is making the clubhouse his business.

Falvey, the Twins' new chief baseball officer, said Tuesday that he plans on being available to players and coaches as much as possible during camp. He will eat breakfast in the team dining room every day and will welcome feedback from players. Then he'll head for the coaches room and talk about the upcoming day.

"Give them an opportunity to talk about anything they see fit," he said. "I think, ultimately, I want to be part of that culture day in and day out. That's the environment I grew up in."

Falvey worked closely with manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway while he was an assistant GM with the Indians. Francona praised Falvey for helping a pitching staff that led the Indians to the World Series.

Falvey was part of three-hour meetings Monday and Tuesday during which the staff broke down every player in camp. And the plan is to meet with every player in private during spring training.

It was only 15 pitches, but it meant a lot to lefthander Glen Perkins.

"I felt good,'' Perkins said. "I wasn't able to do even that last year before I had surgery. So that's progress to me."

Perkins, who appeared in only two games last season, is making his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum. He wanted to throw off a mound Friday but called it off because he wanted to work on his arm strength some more.

After working with assistant trainer Lanning Tucker over the weekend, Perkins felt much better and had no problems during his session

"That's a good first step," Perkins said. "After not feeling like I can do that on Friday to feel like I could push it today is exciting. I was pretty down on Thursday after I played catch. I had to talk to Lanning and say that I wasn't going to be able to throw a pen. He went to work on it and we got it better quick."

Perkins will rest his arm Wednesday and go through long toss drills Friday. He's still considered a long shot to be on the Opening Day roster. Some Twins pitchers have thrown off a mound five to six times already.

Falvey said he was not informed of any pitcher or catcher who failed to report Tuesday. So everyone will be on hand Wednesday for the first workout of 2017.

Niko Goodrum, infielder

Age: 24

2016 stats: .275 avg., seven HRs, 33 RBI in 55 total games between Class A Fort Myers and Class AA Chattanooga.

Acquired: Selected in the second round of the 2010 draft.

Role: Utility player at Chattanooga.

Did you know? This will be Goodrum's eighth season in the organization, but his first time at major league training camp. … He has played every infield position and center field during his minor league career. But he has spent the most time at third base.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III