FORT MYERS, Fla. — It all starts with Byron Buxton.
When the rookie center fielder steps into the batters box at jetBlue Park today, the clock will start running on the Twins' 195 scheduled Grapefruit League, American League and interleague games over the next 215 days. The Twins open their Florida schedule with a noon (Central Time) game against the Red Sox, the first of seven meetings between the crosstown rivals.
Getting nervous, Byron?
"Nah," he said as he packed for the 10-minute bus trip. "You don't get nervous for spring."
Maybe not. Miguel Sano just leaned back in his chair and laughed at the question. "Never," he said. "Never nervous."
Still, it's a bigger day for some players. Byung Ho Park shook his head no when I asked him about his nerves, and maybe "nervous" isn't the way to describe what he's feeling. But most of the day's attention will be on the South Korean slugger, who is attempting the transition to Major League Baseball. No doubt he would like to make a good first impression.
He'll face Henry Owens, Boston's left-handed starter, when he takes his first at-bat. Phil Hughes will start for the Twins, with Trevor May behind him and J.R. Graham and Michael Tonkin among the relief pitchers schedule to throw.
Buxton, Park and Miguel Sano are the only projected starters on the travel list today, as the veterans stay behind to prepare for Thursday night's home opener, also against Boston. That leaves the infield to be manned by youngsters like Kennys Vargas, Jorge Polanco and Wilfredo Tovar, with Eduardo Nunez the veteran in the group.
