Notes from camp: Don't count on Antony to give 'Win one for the Gipper' speech

FORT MYERS, FLA. – The first Twins full-squad workout at spring training begins with a series of speeches from various members of the organization, a get-to-know-you session for players in their first major league camp or those new to the team. It also serves as tone-setter for the season.

The general manager usually addresses club at this time. But with Terry Ryan back in the Twin Cities recovering from cancer surgery, Rob Antony will have to pinch hit for him.

"I'm not going to give a Knute Rockne-type speech," Antony said. "I've got copies of Terry's speeches from the past few years. And there are some things I'd like to address and make sure the players know what's expected of them."

Antony has been present for Ryan's speeches through the years and expects to carry out the duties without a hitch. Once the speeches have been completed, the first workout of the year will commence, and the countdown to Friday's spring training opener will begin.

The MLB Network has announced that it will televise two Twins spring training games live: March 17 at Baltimore in Sarasota and March 19 at St. Louis in Jupiter. Four other games will be replayed. This is in addition to Fox Sports North televising every spring training home game at Hammond Stadium.

In all, 18 spring training games will be televised live.

Twins bench coach Terry Steinbach ran pop up drills for the catchers — for everyone except Josmil Pinto.

"We'll see how he feels [Saturday]," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's just a little sore."

Second baseman Brian Dozier, who has been held out of drills because of his own sore back, is expected to participate in drills Saturday.

"We'll be guarded but he feels a lot better," Gardenhire said. "We don't want him to fall back into it. We'll have him take it nice and easy."

Righthander Mike Pelfrey, recovering from an ear infection, is good to go and will throw live batting practice tomorrow. "Some kind of ear thing where he got it all taken care of and checked out [Thursday]," Gardenhire said. "He said he got dizzy and all those things. I told him, 'I got dizzy watching you pitch last year,' so we're even."

Miguel Sano took grounders and made throws before Friday's workout with no discomfort in his right elbow.

Age: 28

2013 Stats: Hit .214 with 25 homers and 69 RBI between Class AA Bowie (99 games) and Class AAA Norfolk (10 games).

Acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent on Dec. 2.

Role: 3B/1B at Class AAA Rochester.

Did you know: Waring attended Wofford, which has had 10 players drafted, but none have reached the majors.