As announcements go, this wasn't exactly Jack Nicholson ripping open the envelope and saying, "And the winner is …"

But Paul Molitor finally let slip his decision Wednesday about who gets the honored spot of opening the season on the mound. "We've let [Ervin] Santana and [Kyle] Gibson and [Phil] Hughes know they're pitching in Baltimore," the Twins manager said in passing, while discussing the state of the rotation. Wait, in that order? "Yes."

That means Santana, an 11-year veteran and former All-Star, will be an Opening Day starter for the first time in his career on April 4 against the Orioles, and that Gibson, the Twins' most consistent starter last season, will pitch the first game at Target Field, also his first such honor.

"I don't know if that was a big mystery," said Molitor, though he had declined to confirm the order the past couple of days. "You have to set it some how, some way. … We thought that order made sense from the beginning, if everyone was healthy."

Nunez struggles

Eduardo Nunez cleanly fielded both ground balls hit to him Wednesday, but his throws sailed over Joe Mauer's head at first base. The utility infielder made a nearly identical error Monday, too, giving him three errors in three days.

Nunez said there is nothing physically wrong, "just bad throws." But Molitor said he would make sure that's the case, because normally, "I don't have to worry about" him.

"He's gotten a little out of whack here, for at least three days, so it looks like it's in his mind a little bit. He's either trying to rush it and get it over there quickly, or when he tries to throw it hard, he kind of steers it," Molitor said. "I'm going to make sure he's OK. He's a guy we count on to play multiple position and play them well. He's had a rough few days."

Roster cuts

The competition for a spot in the Twins bullpen as a situational lefthander was narrowed when the team cut a half-dozen players, including lefties Taylor Rogers and Buddy Boshers. Those departures leave Fernando Abad, Dan Runzler, Ryan O'Rourke and perhaps Logan Darnell in the running for a bullpen job.

Rogers "was a bit of a tough call," Molitor said. "I like Taylor Rogers a lot. I think he's got a nice future for our team." He will remain in the bullpen at Class AAA Rochester until he can work up more endurance, then rejoin the Red Wings' rotation.

Righthander J.R. Graham, who spent last season on the Twins' roster as a Rule 5 pick, was optioned to Rochester as well. Reassigned to the minors: catcher Carlos Paulino, shortstop Wilfredo Tovar and first baseman Buck Britton.

In addition, lefthanded reliever Michael Strong, a Stillwater High grad, was waived off the Twins' 40-man roster and assigned outright to Rochester. That clears a roster space for a non-roster player, with Abad, a six-year veteran, the most likely candidate.

Etc.

• Both of the Twins' runs were unearned Wednesday.

• One day after being removed from a game after spraining an ankle, Miguel Sano was feeling fine and was back in the lineup.

Phil Miller