So much for conspiracy theories.

Righthander Samuel Deduno is out for a few days with a groin muscle pull, an injury that occurred Wednesday while pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic title game.

That game was played in the rain, and play was halted when Deduno requested that the mound be repaired. What has come to light is that Deduno slipped on the mound during the game, causing the injury.

Deduno felt soreness after bullpen session on Thursday and again on Friday during a workoutt.

``I don't think it is anything seroius and I don't think Sam thinks it is serious," Twins GM Terry Ryan said. ``But we don't want it to develop into a problem."

It's unclear if Deduno will be ready to pitch in a game before spring training ends. It's a crummy development for the Twins, who were looking forward to seeing him pitch on Sunday and possibly inserting him in the rotation.

And here I go thinking Deduno was scratched Sunday because the Twins were going to figure out a way to start him on Opening Day. Hah!

P.J. Walters will start on Sunday in place of Deduno. He's not quite stretched out so he might not have enough stamina to win a job in the rotation.

The best players don't make teams, the healthiest ones do.

Now back to regular programming....

After watching Vance Worley struggle on Friday, the Twins have no idea what their starting rotation is going to look like at the start of the season.

Worley was in line to start the opener on Apr. 1 against the Tigers, but I don't think that is going to happen now. Mike Pelfrey could be moved into that role.

Kevin Correia has been knocked around this spring, and the Twins would like to see why they invested $10 million over two years in him before camp breaks. Today should be a good test against the Rays lineup, which has several starters.

No Mauer or Morneau today, as both hung back at the Fort Myers complex. Morneau was in the batting cage at 8 a.m., EST though.

The Twins also have to figure out a chunk of their bullpen too. Tyler Robertson severely damaged his chances yesterday. Ryan Pressly, the Rule 5 pickup, looks like a keeper.


Twins

1. Aaron Hicks, CF
2. Brian Dozier, 2B
3. Josh Willingham, DH
4. Ryan Doumit, C
5. Wilkin Ramirez, LF
6. Darin Mastroianni, RF
7. Dan Rohlfing, 1B
8. Eduardo Escobar, 3B
9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Pitching: Kevin Correia, RHP


Rays

1. Desmond Jennings, CF
2. Ben Zobrist, RF
3. Matt Joyce, LF
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Luke Scott, DH
6. Yunel Escobar, SS
7. James Loney, 1B
8. Jose Lobaton, C
9. Kelly Johnson, 2B

Pitching: David Price, LHP