KANSAS CITY — The Twins open their 2023 season of promise today (3:10 p.m., BSN) against the Royals.
Pablo López vs. Zack Greinke as Twins, Royals open 2023 season
The three-game series at Kauffman Stadium will see the return of Michael A. Taylor to Kansas City.
March 30, 2023 at 7:49PM
Pablo López, acquired from Miami during the offseason in return for American League batting champion Luis Arraez, starts for the Twins. Veteran righthander Zack Greinke will pitch for the Royals.
Michael A. Taylor, the Royals' starting center fielder last season, will be the Twins center fielder today, with Byron Buxton the designated hitter. Taylor came over in a January trade for two minor-league pitchers.
The Twins are without starting second baseman Jorge Polanco and first baseman Alex Kirilloff, who are on the injured list. The roster was officially set this morning when pitchers Josh Winder (shoulder) and Ronny Henriquez (elbow) went on the 15-day injured list, Polanco (knee), Kirilloff (wrist) and outfielder Gilberto Celestino (thumb) went on the 10-day injury list. Infielder Willi Castro, signed to a minor-league deal in the offseason, made the team and took the final spot on the 40-man roster.
This will be most fans' first look at the new MLB rules that should speed up games by about a half-hour.
Friday is an off-day, built in should today's game get rained out. There's little danger of that, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s expected.
TWINS LINEUP
Christian Vázquez, C
Michael A. Taylor, CF
ROYALS LINEUP
Bobby Witt, SS
MJ Melendez, RF
Salvador Perez, C
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
Franmil Reyes, DH
Michael Massey, 2B
Hunter Dozier, 3B
Kyle Isbel, CF
Edward Olivares, LF
Talk of competing for the best players or of a potential new owner wielding big bucks doesn’t change this: They are last in popularity among the four major men’s pro sports.
