Twins will try new tactics with starters

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: March 29, 2008 - 11:33 PM

Print this story

More from Twins

BRADENTON, FLA. — The Twins will try a slightly different strategy with their starters this season. Johan Santana usually established his fastball early and worked off of it. This year's starters will be asked to throw all their pitches early so they can learn to trust their repertoire - which young pitchers get away from at times.

Righthander Boof Bonser, in a recent spring outing, threw 15 changeups. a pitch he rarely used last season.

"We can't let those guys go in there and start getting hit and rely on one pitch,'' catcher Mike Redmond said. "Sometimes you have to turn the page when a guy gets in trouble so he's not just throwing fastball after fastball.''

The approach was discussed early in camp among Redmond, manager Ron Gardenhire, pitching coach Rick Anderson and fellow catcher Joe Mauer.

"We have been working on that [in camp], trying to use guys' breaking balls more so they don't rely on one pitch,'' Redmond said. "Hopefully, that will eliminate the damage when they get in situations where they get a little bit wild.''

Minor trade

The Twins on Saturday received catcher Jair Fernandez from Seattle in exchange for the rights to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Fernandez, 21, batted .260 with two homers and 13 RBI for Class A Wisconsin of the Midwest League last season.

The Mariners selected Dickey from the Twins in the Rule 5 draft last December and wanted to send him to the minors. To do that, Dickey had to clear waivers, then be offered back to the Twins, but teams often work out a deal in these cases.

Baker's outing

Righthander Scott Baker, battling to build arm strength before his scheduled April 4 start against Kansas City, will pitch for Class AAA Rochester today against Class AA New Britain in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Twins hope Baker throws around 75 pitches today, which would allow him to throw 85-90 pitches against the Royals, if needed.

Baker's last official spring start was March 8 against Pittsburgh before he was shut down because of a lat strain (a sore muscle behind/below the shoulder blade). He was recovering from the lat strain when a bad case of the flu caused him to lose 12 pounds and jeopardize his availability for the start of the regular season.

Etc.

• Bonser and Nick Blackburn each threw a bullpen session at Hammond Stadium before the bus left for Bradenton.

• A National League scout at Saturday's game clocked Jesse Crain's fastball at 93-94 miles per hour and his slider at 86-87. That's good news for Crain, who is coming back after shoulder surgery last season. Crain said he still hasn't gotten the touch for his slider but is pleased with his curveball.

• Delmon Young hit the first pitch of the second inning over the left field wall for his second homer of the month. Young was 2-for-2 in the game and finished camp batting .286.

Up next

The Twins will work out at the Dome at 10 a.m. in preparation for Opening Day on Monday. The Angels will work out at 5 p.m.

Recent Twins stories

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - March 29, 2008

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday. The whole scene made him a little wistful. More