![Twins first round draft pick Byron Buxton chatted with manger Ron Gardenhire and hitting coach Joe Vara during batting practice before the game with the Philadelphia Phillies June 12, 2012 in Minneapolis, MN.] (Jerry Holt/ STAR TRIBUNE/](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SSGF3JOPWWO3YRIFR6NROIWMME.jpg?&w=1080)
The Twins have announced their first cuts of spring, sending 16 players to the minor league camp.
Lefthanders Logan Darnell, Edgar Ibarra and Brooks Raley and righthander Trevor May have been sent to Class AAA Rochester. First baseman Kennys Vargas has been sent to Class AA New Britain, Infielder Jorge Polanco and outfielder Max Kepler have been sent to Class A Fort Myers. Ibarra didn't see any action after reporting to camp while recovering from Hepatits B and later having it reclassified to Hepatitis A.
Righthanders Alex Meyer, Lester Oliveros and Yohan Pino, catchers Kyle Knudson, Matt Koch and Stuart Turner and outfielders Byron Buxton and Chris Rahl and third baseman Miguel Sano have been reassigned to the minor league camp. Sano, of course, is out for the season because of Tommy John surgery. The reassigned players will be placed on a minor league team by the end of camp.
Mild surprise that Buxton and Meyer were cut. Thought they would get a longer look. But Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said recently that he wanted to focus on players who had a chance to make the Opening Day roster, and the pair of Twin top prospects weren't going north with the club. Both showed flashes of their great talent. Buxton was 3-for-19 but did homer on Saturday and Meyer gave up one run in two innings on Monday, and it's not far-fetched to think they could contribute during the season.
The Twins now have 48 players in camp.
Phillies
1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Freddy Galvis, 2B
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Darin Ruf, 1B
5. Maikel Franco, 3B
6. John Mayberry, Jr. DH
7. Tony Gywnn, Jr., LF
8. Ronny Dedeno, SS
9. Wil Nieves, C
Jeff Manship (WHAT!?!?!?!?!), RHP
