Still-cold Punto will be a reserve

The infielder is hitting .125 this spring and struck out three times Tuesday, and it appears Brendan Harris will start at second.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: March 25, 2008 - 11:48 PM

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BRADENTON, FLA. — A nightmarish 2007 season has carried over to 2008 for Twins infielder Nick Punto, who is batting .125 in spring training and learned Tuesday that he probably will start the season on the bench.

One day after naming Carlos Gomez as the team's starting center fielder, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he is leaning toward Brendan Harris for second base.

Gardenhire said Punto and Matt Tolbert likely would come off the bench as utility infielders and pinch runners.

"I'll probably start Harris [at second base] and go from there," Gardenhire said. "I think Nicky's struggled offensively, but defensively, we know what he can do. Harris has been kind of hit-and-miss with his defense, but he's starting to swing better."

Punto took the news in stride, at least outwardly.

"It's a role I'm familiar with, so I know how to be a utility guy," he said. "It doesn't have to be a permanent thing. I've played for [Gardenhire] for four years now, and I know he's going to play the hot hand.

"We're all going to get at-bats; I'm sure of it. It's just a matter for me of getting back to swinging like I did in '06. And if I do that, I know I'm going to get to play."

Punto became the starting third baseman in June 2006 and batted .290 that season, but he plunged to .210 last year.

With Mike Lamb signed to play third, Punto entered spring training saying his goal was to be the team's starting second baseman and bat leadoff.

Gardenhire batted Punto leadoff Tuesday, trying to get him extra at-bats to shake his slump.

Punto went 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts in the Twins' 7-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

The Twins' concerns aren't only with his batting average. He has seven strikeouts and numerous fly outs among his 40 at-bats -- not good for a speedy player not known for his power.

"Don't open a window on the bus or anything like that," Gardenhire said, trying to keep the mood light. "Just so [Punto] doesn't jump out, we'll be OK. Just gotta give him more at-bats. Maybe this last week, we'll see what happens."

Harris, who batted .286 last season for Tampa Bay, went 1-for-4 Tuesday, leaving his spring average at .245.

"I was excited coming over here," Harris said. "It's like going to the plate; you expect to get a hit. I came over here expecting to play every day."

Gardenhire said there are multiple ways Punto and Tolbert could be used. He gave one example: Tie game, seventh inning, designated hitter Jason Kubel gets a hit.

"Probably we'd want to send Punto out there to run for him," Gardenhire said. "He stays in as the DH. You've got an emergency guy, who can go anywhere, and you've got Tolbert still on the bench."

On Punto, Gardenhire also said, "I like having him. Late-inning defensive things. Believe me, he'll get used quite a bit. I like to see him out there on the field."