Duensing has place in rotation
BRADENTON, FLA. - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire won't bite on the questions about who's a lock in the 2011 starting rotation.
But it's safe to assume righthander Carl Pavano wouldn't have re-signed to pitch out of the bullpen. And lefthander Francisco Liriano had too strong of a 2010 season to not be in the rotation. So that's two spots right there.
Lefthander Brian Duensing makes it three.
After moving out of the bullpen and into the rotation in each of the past two seasons, Duensing, with a career record of 15-5 and 3.02 ERA, is considered a starter.
"Now it is time to give him the ball and leave him alone and let him pitch in the rotation and see how that goes," Gardenhire said.
Duensing, who threw two shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, said he got an inkling that he might be earmarked for the rotation after a recent conversation with pitching coach Rick Anderson.
His reaction: "I took it with a grain of salt," Duensing said.
Then he added: "That's nice to know."