Santana acquisitions just a phone call away

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: March 31, 2008 - 10:30 PM

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In center fielder Carlos Gomez, the Twins have one player on their major league roster to show for the trade that sent Johan Santana to the Mets, but now they have two knocking on the door at Class AAA Rochester.

Twins minor league director Jim Rantz said Monday that righthander Kevin Mulvey, originally slated for Class AA New Britain, will join Rochester's starting rotation, along with righthander Philip Humber.

Mulvey and Humber both impressed the Twins during big-league camp after coming over in the Santana trade.

Righthander Deolis Guerra -- the other player obtained in the Santana deal and the highest-rated prospect -- is expected to open the season in the starting rotation at Class A Fort Myers.

The Twins had left a spot in their Rochester rotation open for R.A. Dickey, whom they lost in the Rule 5 draft to Seattle. But when they traded Dickey's rights to the Mariners on Saturday, Mulvey got the promotion.

Lefthander Glen Perkins will pitch Rochester's season opener Wednesday. The Red Wings rotation also includes lefthander Brian Duensing and righthander Heath Totten.

Monroe gets the nod

Craig Monroe got the Opening Night start at designated hitter over Jason Kubel, proving manager Ron Gardenhire isn't treating that combo as a strict platoon.

The Twins were facing righthander Jered Weaver, and Gardenhire went with the righthanded-hitting Monroe over the lefthanded-hitting Kubel. Going into Monday night's game, Monroe was 0-for-3 for his career off Weaver, Kubel 1-for-5. Monroe went 0-for-3 Monday night, and Kubel got in and went 1-for-1.

"I just wanted to see that guy [Monroe] out there," Gardenhire said. "He's been having a good spring, drives the ball and all those things. Put him out there, and [Tuesday] might be a different story."

The Twins face righthander Jon Garland tonight. Kubel is 7-for-17 (.412) with three homers for his career off Garland, Monroe 7-for-33 (.212) with one homer.

Etc.

• Casey Daigle, Randy Ruiz, Jon Knott, Eli Whiteside and Howie Clark all accepted their assignments to Rochester after being cut from big league camp. Lefthander Randy Keisler signed with the Cubs and will pitch for Class AAA Iowa.

• The Twins signed former Reds closer Danny Graves to a minor league deal. He is expected to join the Rochester bullpen after getting his arm into shape. Graves, 34, had 33 saves for the Long Island Ducks last season, leading the independent Atlantic League.

• Shortstop Adam Everett never had played in the Metrodome as a big leaguer before Monday, but he did play there in college. In March 1996, he came to the Hormel Classic with North Carolina State and went 3-for-4 against the Gophers in a 10-6 victory. Everett went 0-for-4 Monday.

• Scott Baker, who stayed in Florida an extra day to pitch in a minor league game, joined the team in time for Opening Night introductions. He will start Friday against Kansas City.

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