twins/mlb

Silva will start Friday in Chicago

The Twins will start righthander Carlos Silva on Friday in Chicago, which, for now, makes him the fourth starter.

And righthander Sidney Ponson will start either Saturday or Sunday against the White Sox, depending on whether staff ace Johan Santana wants an extra day between starts.

"It's depending on how Johan comes off his first start and how he feels," manager Ron Gardenhire said.,

It also keeps a starter from being held out of the rotation until April 10.

Santana will start Monday against Baltimore and will be followed by Boof Bonser on Tuesday and Ramon Ortiz on Wednesday. After an off day, Silva will face the White Sox. Then it will be either Santana or Ponson on Saturday.

Bonser, Ortiz and Silva are in line to face the Yankees next week at the Metrodome. The Twins have another off day on April 16, when more adjustments could be made.

PONSON'S READY

Ponson gave up three earned runs on 10 hits over five innings on Saturday, but his line should have been a little better. A two-out fly ball by Adam LaRoche got lost in the sun by Michael Cuddyer and fell for a double, allowing the first of two runs to score in the first inning.

Ponson and the Twins appeared to be satisfied that he got his work in.

"I have to prove a few people wrong, a lot of people," Ponson said. "I'm having fun again. Baseball is fun again."

MORNEAU'S TURN

Twins slugger Justin Morneau is starting to ride the endorsement wave.

He's the most prominent player in a recently released New Era cap commercial. Teammate Johan Santana, Detroit's Justin Verlander. the Yankees' Robinson Cano, Boston's Jonathan Papelbon and St. Louis' David Eckstein are also in the commercial.

And 100 cases of Clearly Canadian enhanced waters were recently delivered to the team after Morneau agreed to join NBA star Steve Nash as a spokesperson.

ETC.

•Catcher Joe Mauer (left fibula) and third baseman Nick Punto (hip flexor) played on Saturday and said they felt fine. Both are expected to be in the Opening Day lineup.

•The Twins drew 8,029 fans Saturday, giving them a 129,544 total at Hammond Stadium, a record in the newly expanded stadium.

WHO'S HOT

Luis Castillo was 0-for-1 with a walk on Saturday and finished camp with a .436 batting average. Rondell White was 2-for-2, finishing at .340. Santana's ERA (2.63) was the lowest among the members of the starting rotation, but Bonser (2.86) was close.

WHO'S NOT

Joe Mauer was 1-for-3 with a bases-loaded double but still finished spring batting .220. Carlos Silva finished up with five excellent innings Thursday but probably is happy he can leave his 8.44 ERA in Florida