FORT MYERS, FLA. - Moments after being cut on Saturday, Matt Tolbert was being Matt Tolbert.

With equipment on the floor around him, ready to be packed, Tolbert grabbed a bat, got in his stance and worked on his swing -- as he often does.

"I had an opportunity and didn't have a great spring," he said. "That's pretty much it. And I'm headed to [Class AAA] Rochester and hopefully do well there. If a spot opens up sometime and I'm doing well down there, maybe I'll get a chance."

Sending down Tolbert was one of several moves the Twins made on Saturday to get their roster to 35 players with a week to go. Lefthander Mike Maroth, catcher Danny Lehmann and outfielder Ben Revere were assigned to the minor league camp.

Veteran outfielder Jacque Jones and righthanders Kyle Waldrop and Anthony Slama were told that they won't make the team but will travel with the club when it plays two exhibition games against St. Louis next week at Target Field.

Tolbert, who batted .194 in camp, was optioned to Rochester, which means that Alexi Casilla, who is batting .158, makes the team as a utility player. Why Casilla? He's out of options, meaning he would have to pass through waivers to be sent to the minors, and the Twins didn't want to risk losing him to another team.

It was hard for Gardenhire to give Tolbert the news. "He's one of my favorite players," Gardenhire said. "I look at him as a big leaguer. I've only got X amount of roster spots, so I had to send him down, but I don't like it. It's not one of my favorite things to do."

The Twins still must decide on a backup catcher between Drew Butera and Wilson Ramos, with Butera expected to get the nod.

Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson haven't announced their plans for a closer, which should be the most interesting news left in camp.

"We'll wait right through the end to decide on a closer," Gardenhire said. "We have a few candidates, but ..."

Of the 35 players remaining in camp, Jones, Waldrop and Slama eventually will be sent to the minors, and righthander Joe Nathan and catcher Jose Morales are injured.