There will be an Eddie Rosario sighting Thursday, with the outfielder scheduled to be the designated hitter against the Rays.

Rosario has missed nine games because of triceps tendinitis and, as a result, has only 13 at-bats. His arm feels good enough to begin a throwing program, during which he played catch from 60 feet away Wednesday. That distance will be increased over the next few days as long as he continues to improve.

Twins manager Paul Molitor now wants to get Rosario's bat sharp for the regular season, and will use him in the DH role until he's ready for outfield work. Rosario's absence has allowed Brock Stassi, Ryan LaMarre and others to get playing time. But now it's Rosario's turn.

"It will be good to get him some at-bats over the next couple of days," Molitor said.

Rosario sounded eager to get back in the batter's box after taking longer than expected for his arm to recover.

"I want to work on my approach and my timing and swing at strikes," Rosario said.

Unfortunate prediction

During Wednesday's Red Sox-Twins game, former Twin Eduardo Nunez was plunked by Twins righthander Tyler Duffey.

Nunez staggered to the backstop and needed a couple minutes while a trainer examined his right forearm. Nunez, known for such moments, remained in the game.

Duffey watched it all with an uneasy feeling. He saw Nunez before the game and joked he might hit him with a pitch. He was kidding, but he became nervous when he the ball got away from him and struck Nunez.

"I was like, 'Not that,' " Duffey said. "But we're good. He's OK."

Nunez spent two-plus seasons with the Twins before being traded to San Francisco during the 2016 season for lefthander Adalberto Mejia. He was traded a year later to Boston, and re-signed with Red Sox during the offseason.

Target Field deal

The Twins unveiled a ticket plan Wednesday that enables fans to attend 13 home games in April for $49.

The "Spring Ballpark Pass" does not include Opening Day. The pass gives fans access to the other 13 games — two against Seattle, three against Houston, four against the White Sox, three against Cincinnati and one against Toronto — without an assigned seat.

Tickets will be delivered to mobile devices. Fans can purchase up to eight passes.

Last season, the Twins sold about 1,300 passes at $99 for 30 home games in April and May.

More information is available at twinsbaseball.com/springpass

About 1,500 tickets remain for the Twins' home opener April 5 against Seattle.

Etc.

• Jim Kaat, who recently joined the Twins as a special assistant, arrived at camp. The 16-time Gold Glove winner headed to the field where pitcher's fielding practice was taking place.

• Both Addison Reed (1⅔ innings) and Zach Duke (1⅓) pitched more than one inning for the first time during camp in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Red Sox, part of their progression to being ready for the season.

• Jake Odorizzi and Lance Lynn will pitch Sunday, with Odorizzi facing the Phillies and Lynn pitching in a minor league game.

On deck

Righthander Kyle Gibson, who has allowed four runs in eight innings this spring, will start as the Twins head to Port Charlotte to play Tampa Bay. Righthander Nathan Eovaldi will start for the Rays. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III