Rainout delays Byron Buxton's return to Twins lineup

BRADENTON, FLA. – Byron Buxton was all set to play in his first game since Sunday when heavy rains hit McKechnie Field on Saturday, washing out the Twins' Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Buxton, who has been under the weather, will have to wait until Sunday against the Yankees to get back in the swing of things. After that, look for the young outfielder to get plenty of at-bats over the next few days.

"He's going to see a lot of action this week," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "I'm not too concerned of trying to do something crazy [Saturday] when we get back."

Buxton is 4-for-20 in eight games this spring, so the Twins hope that their top prospect can find a groove before spring training ends. Molitor ruled out sending Buxton to minor league spring training games for extra at-bats.

"We might have to extend him a little bit, inningswise [in spring games] so he gets more at-bats," Molitor said.

Buxton is expected to leave camp as the Twins' starting center fielder, so a strong finish at the plate would make everyone feel better about bringing him north.

The travel roster for Saturday's game included four lefthanded relievers: Buddy Boshers, Logan Darnell, Dan Runzler and Taylor Rogers. The chance each pitcher has of making the team varies.

Twins pitching coach Neil Allen said he is still open to anything — one lefthander to set up, two or none. He would like to settle on his bullpen with four or five games left in spring training, so this is another area to watch over the next week.

"We're just looking to see who can prove to be consistent day in and day out," Allen said.

Saturday could have been a day to look at a few lefthanded candidates, but the rain spoiled it.

"We've talked about [looking at] some of the guys in the mix pitching on the same day," Molitor said, "but it doesn't always work out that way."

Indications are that the Twins could be ready to name their Opening Day starter by early next week.

The two leading candidates appear to be Ervin Santana and Phil Hughes. If the rotation stayed on its current schedule, it would be Santana's day to pitch when the Twins open the season at Baltimore on April 4, with Hughes starting the second game on April 6. But there's plenty of time for the Twins to restructure their rotation any way they like.

Righthander Ervin Santana will make his fourth outing of the spring — his third in an official spring training game — when he faces the Yankees at Hammond Stadium. Righthander Ivan Nova will start for the Yankees.