twins/mlb
La Velle E. Neal III has covered baseball for the Star Tribune since 1998 (the post-Knoblauch era). Born and raised in Chicago, he grew up following the White Sox and hating the Cubs. He attended both the University of Illinois and Illinois-Chicago and began his baseball writing career at the Kansas City Star. He can be heard occasionally on KFAN radio, lending his great baseball mind to Paul Allen and other hosts. Mark Rosen borrows him occasionally for WCCO-TV.
Twins-Rays: Look who's playing right field today
Posted by: La Velle E. Neal III Updated: March 24, 2012 - 10:59 AM
Well, this looks interesting.
Justin Morneau is the designated hitter for the seventh straight spring training game. But that's not why this is interesting.
Chris Parmelee is starting in right field today against the Rays. He's played in the outfield this spring, but this is his first start. If he's to make the club, he'll have to show some versatility. Parmelee played in the outfield early in his minor league career, so this is not a big stretch. It's just that you look at him now and think, "First baseman."
Parmelee, during an interview earlier this spring, said he played some center field in high school.
It's worth checking out. The Twins need to figure out a bench and it's hard to say who's a lock right now. If Parmelee can make three starts a week, it might be worth carrying him. He's batting .324 this spring with two homers, and just missed a hanger in yesterday's game against the Yankees. He could also play first base, of course, and DH.
Then again, he might be out there for other reasons (injuries, etc.). Ben Revere, batting .343, is not starting for the second straight game.
Jason Marquis was scheduled to start today but had to take care of a family issue and is not in camp.
The Twins have been cutting pitchers from the minor league camp this week. A few days ago they released Kane Holbrooks, Dan Osterbrock, Mike Tarsi, Blayne Weller, Matt Schuld and Derek Chrstensen. Yesterday, they released Spencer Steedley. When you have 33 pitchers in camp, and they start getting cut from the major league camp, you have to make room for them.
Rays
Desmond Jennings, DH
Elliot Johnson, 2B
Evan Longoria, 3B
Matt Joyce, RF
S-Rod, SS
Matt Mangini, 1B
Chris Gimenez. C
Will Rhymes, LF
Jesus Feliciano, CF
Jeremy Hellickson, RHP
Twins
Denard Span, CF
Jamey Carroll, SS
Joe Mauer, 1b
Justin Morneau, DH
Josh Willingham,LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Chris Parmelee, RF
J.R. Towles, C
Luke Hughes, 2B
Starting pitcher: Jeff Gray, RHP
Other listed pitchers include: Matt Capps, Casey Fein, Matt Maloney, Glen Perkins.
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