BRADENTON, FLA. – Carlos Quentin has asked for, and received his release from the Twins. And it looks like his career might be over.
The veteran outfielder, who was cut from camp on Saturday, informed Twins General Manager Terry Ryan he was not interested in reporting to Class AAA Rochester and was headed home to San Diego. Ryan got the impression that Quentin was going to hang up the spikes.
"He tried. He did a good job here,'' Ryan said. "He just went a different direction. If someone called him and offered him a major league job maybe that would be a different scenario. But he doesn't have much interest going to Triple-A with us. I don't believe he has interest in going to play Triple-A for anybody else. So we granted his release."
Quentin, 33, was trying to revive his career after playing in only five minor league games in 2015. He started strongly at the plate but faded later in camp, batting .250 with two home runs. His defense in the outfield and first base was not strong. Oswaldo Arcia, who landed the reserve outfield spot, bats lefthanded, is out of options and came through with a couple home runs late in camp.
The Twins told a disappointed Quentin to take a couple days to think about his next step. He informed Ryan on Sunday evening that he was headed home to be with his family.
Coming up big
Several Twins had been taken out of the lineup and were in the clubhouse when Daniel Palka hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, sending the Twins to a 6-4 victory over the Pirates. Palka is the 24-year-old outfielder/first baseman the Twins received from Arizona in a trade for Chris Herrmann in November. In three Grapefruit League games — all as an extra player — Palka is 3-for-5 with three home runs.
Miguel Sano watched Palka's blast Monday, smiled and said, "Power hitter.''
Etc.
• As usual during the final week of spring training, the games take on a little more meaning. Look for relievers to appear in back-to-back games this week and for Molitor to trot out his in-season lineups.
• A few Twins not in Bradenton got some extra work in during a minor league game in Fort Myers vs. Class A Delmarva, an Orioles affiliate. Kurt Suzuki was 1-for-3 with a walk. Relievers Kevin Jepsen and Fernando Abad each threw a scoreless inning.
