FORT MYERS, FLA. - The Twins narrowed their list of bullpen candidates Wednesday, notifying Kyle Waldrop, Carlos Gutierrez and Chuck James that they'll be reassigned to minor-league camp after next week's exhibition games in Atlanta.

The team also told lefthander Phil Dumatrait that he'll be reassigned to the minors after Monday's game in Fort Myers.

That leaves five pitchers competing for three open bullpen spots: Dusty Hughes, Glen Perkins, Scott Diamond, Jeff Manship and Jim Hoey.

Perkins has a 2.00 ERA and is out of minor-league options. He and Hughes, a fellow lefthander who has yet to allow a run this spring, appear to have the inside track, with Manship and Hoey battling for the final spot.

Diamond is a Rule V pick who must be kept on the 25-man roster or placed through waivers. The lefthander has been battling a blister on his left thumb but pitched in a minor-league game Thursday and will pitch again Saturday. He could open the season on the disabled list.

Slowey adjusting One day after the Twins announced Scott Baker would be their No. 5 starter, with Kevin Slowey moving to the bullpen, Baker kept things in perspective.

"It was probably a tough decision for them, and I don't think it was solely based on performance," Baker said. "Kevin's throwing lights out. This is the best I've seen him throw."

Baker has posted a 2.84 ERA in 12 2/3 innings, and Slowey entered his relief appearance Thursday with a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings. Slowey, who has been a starter for most of his career, has been getting pointers about adjusting to a relief role from Brian Duensing and Joe Nathan.

"As long as I'm going to be in the bullpen, I want to be the best I can at it for this team," Slowey said.

Increasing in value Forbes magazine estimates the Twins are worth $490 million, a 21 percent increase over last year. The magazine does franchise valuations each spring, and the Twins had an expected spike after selling out almost every game in their first year at Target Field. Carl Pohlad bought the Twins in 1984 for $44 million. The Yankees, worth $1.7 billion, topped the list for the 14th consecutive year. (See complete list in Scoreboard, C9.)

Etc. • Whose jersey sold better than anyone else's in Major League Baseball last year? Derek Jeter, followed by Joe Mauer and Roy Halladay, according to MLB.

• The Twins reassigned catcher Steve Holm and outfielder Jeff Bailey to minor-league camp. They notified catcher Danny Lehmann he'll be reassigned following Monday's game. Catcher Rene Rivera, infielder Chase Lambin and outfielder Brian Dinkelman will travel with the club to Atlanta before being reassigned.

On deck Nick Blackburn opposes Cole Hamels on Thursday, when the Twins play the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla. Nathan, Matt Capps, Jose Mijares and Hoey also are scheduled to pitch for Minnesota.

JOE CHRISTENSEN