Twins' Brian Dozier helped by rainout-created day of rest

CHICAGO – Brian Dozier was asked why he wasn't in the starting lineup Wednesday.

"I can play," he insisted.

Twins manager Paul Molitor took the cautious approach, given the wet conditions they were preparing to play in before the game was postponed. Dozier would have been available off the bench as a pinch hitter and is expected to be in the lineup Thursday.

"Had a nice chat with him and [trainer] Dave Pruemer," Molitor said. "I had some thoughts about DHing [Dozier on Wednesday but] with the conditions I was kind of against that, to be honest with you.

"We'll see [Thursday]. There's a pretty good chance we'll see him in there somewhere. The extra day definitely helps."

Dozier has been out since Friday, when he turned his left ankle while fielding a grounder.

Miguel Sano spent Tuesday night at the team hotel, watching the Twins-White Sox game on television. He ordered room service.

Sano served his one-game suspension for his role in a bench-clearing incident April 22 against the Tigers. The Twins still beat the White Sox 7-2 on Tuesday, and Sano was back at third base and batting third on Wednesday when the game was called.

The forecast called for rain for most of Wednesday night in the Chicago area, leading to the decision to postpone the game.

There were conversations about playing a doubleheader Thursday, but the White Sox didn't want to do that. The game will be made up on Aug. 21 at 4:10 p.m. The second game will start at 7:10 p.m., or 30 minutes following the completion of the first game.