FORT MYERS, FLA. — Drew Butera, who spent the past two full seasons in the majors, packed his locker Saturday morning in the Twins clubhouse after being told he had been sent to Class AAA Rochester.
"They told me they were going with two catchers," Butera said. "I'm just going to go down and work on some things, get some at-bats and get some playing time."
The Twins contemplated keeping a third catcher to go with Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit, but it looks like catcher J.R. Towles also will be sent packing before camp ends.
Butera batted .167 last year, but he's had better at-bats this spring and is batting .273. He knew his chances of remaining on the 25-man roster grew tougher when the Twins signed Doumit in December.
"It's part of the business," Butera said. "I've been in it long enough where I know these things happen. So I wasn't blindsided. I knew this might be an option."
Doumit is batting .325 after going 2-for-5 against the Pirates with his second homer of the spring. Mauer is batting .358.
The decision to keep two catchers also means infielder Sean Burroughs probably makes the team. He delivered another pinch hit against Pittsburgh, raising his Grapefruit League average to .342.
2004 ALDS flashback Manager Ron Gardenhire refuted Torii Hunter's recent claim to CBSSports.com that a young righthanded hitter -- presumably Lew Ford -- turned down a request to pinch hit for Jason Kubel against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in Game 2 of the 2004 American League Division Series.
