Pregame: Thomas makes 2013 debut tonight

It's been 13 months since centerfielder Clete Thomas played for the Twins, but he'll give Aaron Hicks a rare night off as Twins try to win series in K.C.

June 6, 2013 at 11:47PM
Twins outfielder Clete Thomas pulled down a catch during spring training in Fort Myers.
Twins outfielder Clete Thomas pulled down a catch during spring training in Fort Myers. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Clete Thomas has played in 157 major-league games, but No. 158, tonight against the Royals, might feel a little different. It's the first time in more than 13 months that the veteran outfielder has been in a big-league lineup.

Thomas has had long droughts before -- he spent 2010 and 2011 in Toledo, waiting for another chance in Detroit -- but he's 28 now and had reason to believe he might not get the call again. But with Darin Mastroianni out with a broken ankle and Wilkin Ramirez suffering from a concussion, his strong start at AAA Rochester -- a .296 average and nine home runs -- has paid off. He'll give Aaron Hicks a night off tonight, and bat seventh against K.C. starter Wade Davis.

It's the first time since May 25 that Hicks hasn't been in the lineup; the rookie, who has appeared in 52 of the Twins' 56 games, hasn't sat out a game completely since May 12.

I'll be back with more from the clubhouse soon. Until then, here are tonight's lineups:

TWINS
Carroll 3B
Mauer DH
Willingham LF
Morneau 1B
Doumit C
Parmelee RF
Thomas CF
Dozier 2B
Florimon SS

Pelfrey RHP

ROYALS
Gordon LF
Hosmer 1B
Perez C
Butler DH
Moustakas 3B
Cain CF
Lough RF
Getz 2B
Escobar SS

Wade Davis RHP

about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

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