PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Miguel Sano was sitting in the Twins' dugout after taking batting practice, examining the green TC cap he had been issued for the day. Sort of a weird look, isn't it, Miguel?
"It's beautiful," Sano said. "I like it."
He wasn't sure what to make of the shamrock on the right side, though. When I told him it was a symbol of St. Patrick's Day, he looked at me like I was speaking, well, Irish. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, he never celebrated the Irish holiday, and had no idea what it is. He just likes the look of the caps, even if it's a weird fit with a red and blue uniform.
Sano is back in his normal cleanup spot for today's game with the Rays, playing third base behind starting pitcher Phil Hughes. The righthander is looking for a clean start today — he's allowed seven runs in nine innings over his previous three games against major leaguers. Manager Paul Molitor insists there is no need to worry yet, not while he's still working on commanding his pitches and gaining velocity, It would be nice, he said, to see signs of the old Hughes.
Here are the lineups for the holiday matinee at Charlotte Sports Park:
TWINS
Buxton CF
Dozier 2B
Kepler RF
Sano 3B
Grossman DH
Park 1B
Polanco SS
Gimenez C
Stubbs LF
Hughes RHP
RAYS
Morrison 1B
Kiermaier DH
Longoria 3B
Miller 2B
Dickerson LF
Beckham SS
Souza RF
Casali C
Smith CF
Ramirez RHP
