After spending two days on the bench, outfielder Oswaldo Arcia was back in the Twins lineup Friday, batting seventh.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said he needed to sit Arcia down after the young slugger batted .063 over a 10-game stretch. Arcia, who missed 33 games because of a strained right wrist, entered Friday batting .221 with four home runs and 13 RBI.
"It's about slowing everything down and not trying to hit it 1,000 miles," Gardenhire said. "He's trying to make up for every missed at bat with one swing. Just put the barrel on the ball and let it travel."
Chris Parmelee started the two games Arcia was on the bench. Gardenhire said Arcia worked hard with hitting coach Tom Brunansky this week and hopes he returns to the lineup with some pop in his bat.
"Watching a game or two, for these young guys, is not a bad thing," Gardenhire said.
Arcia has been one of the Twins' energy guys, but assistant general manager Rob Antony noted that was missing as Arcia's slump gained momentum. The Twins like seeing that side of Arcia, as long as he doesn't cross the line.
"Where did that go?" Antony said. "He had that, he was excited and everything was going great. Then he started struggling and all of that was gone. He's going to have to find that balance and be prepared to play every day he comes to the ballpark."
Sano will play
The Twins have acknowledged that all signs point to third base prospect Miguel Sano being able to get some at-bats before the minor league season ends. Sano, out because of Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in March, has been rehabilitating in Fort Myers, Fla.