Arcia still bothered by lingering flu symptoms

It's been a week since Arcia came down with the flu that afflicted a half-dozen other teammates.

March 12, 2015 at 2:14PM
Minnesota Twins right fielder Oswaldo Arcia (31) was avoid getting hit by Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) in the first inning at Target Field Sunday August 17 , 2014 in Minneapolis MN .
Minnesota Twins right fielder Oswaldo Arcia (31) was avoid getting hit by Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) in the first inning at Target Field Sunday August 17 , 2014 in Minneapolis MN . (Dml - Star Tribune Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Oswaldo Arcia's wife Karla is here, cooking for him every day. But it hasn't helped yet, Arcia says.

"Still not good," Arcia said this morning, pointing to his stomach. "Everything I [consume], food, juice, whatever — I go right in there," he said, pointing to the nearby bathroom.

It's been a week since Arcia came down with the flu that afflicted a half-dozen other teammates, and while he felt better over the weekend, the queasiness returned this week. When I suggested that a change in diet, after spending the winter back home in Venezuela, might be part of it, Arcia shook his head. "The food is good. My wife cooks," he said. "[I'm] just bad right now."

Arcia, who hasn't played since Monday, took batting practice in the cage this morning, and said he can feel the difference his upset stomach is making. He's out of the lineup again today; when might he return to action? Arcia simply shrugged, palms up. "Soon, soon," he said.

The Twins are getting a look at backup outfield candidates, at least. Eddie Rosario played Tuesday in Dunedin, Chris Herrmann was in left field yesterday, and Shane Robinson gets the start today. Rosario and Herrmann both homered during their start, so it's not like the Twins have missed his power. And for what it's worth, Byron Buxton hasn't started a game since Monday's B game in Bradenton, though that's apparently not related to any sickness. He's not projected to be a big-league starter this year the way Arcia is.

Even without Arcia's bat in the lineup, the Twins have some sluggers. Kennys Vargas and Miguel Sano, each of whom has homered in the past two days, are playing, as is Josmil Pinto, who gets his first start behind the plate after serving as DH yesterday. Pinto is apparently completely recovered from the quad strain that limited him earlier in camp. Aaron Hicks, meanwhile, will try to redeem himself after committing baserunning mistakes Monday and Tuesday.

Phil Hughes makes his second start today against Mike Redmond's Marlins. Dee Gordon, brother of Twins prospect Nick Gordon, made the two-hour trip. Here are today's lineups:

MARLINS

Gordon 2B

Yelich LF

Ozuna CF

Bour 1B

Johnson DH

Hechavarria SS

Mathis C

Kelly RF

Solano 3B

Cosart RHP

TWINS

Dozier 2B

Robinson LF

Mauer 1B

Vargas DH

Hunter RF

Sano 3B

Escobar SS

Pinto C

Hicks CF

Hughes RHP, followed by Pelfrey, Duensing, Boyer, Thompson, Hamburger.

about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

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Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

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