FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It's only an exhibition game, and it's only a one-day visit, but Friday figures to be a fun day for Mike Kvasnicka.
The former Gopher, a Lakeville native and North High grad, will wear the uniform of his hometown team today, after being called up to supplement the Twins' roster for a noon CDT game against the Orioles in Hammond Stadium.
Kvasnicka, the 33rd overall pick in the 2010 draft, was acquired by the Twins last spring in a trade with Houston, and he spent last season here in Hammond Stadium, playing for the Class A Miracle. Today, he'll likely take over in the outfield for Josh Willingham or Darin Mastroianni in the fifth inning or so, after the regulars get three at-bats.
The Twins needed Kvasnicka and a couple of other minor leaguers -- shortstop Aderlin Mejia and outfielder Brad Nelson -- to fill out the roster today, since half the team, along with manager Ron Gardenhire, boarded buses at 7:30 this morning and left for Tampa, where the split squad will face the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field.
Mike Pelfrey gets the start here, and Matt Guerrier, recovering from forearm surgery, is scheduled to pitch in his first true exhibition game. Kyle Gibson is starting against the Yankees. Check La Velle Neal's blog for updates from there.
Here are the starting lineups here in Fort Myers:
TWINS
Presley cf
