There will be an Eddie Rosario sighting Thursday, with the outfielder scheduled to be the designated hitter against the Rays.
Rosario has missed nine games because of triceps tendinitis and, as a result, has only 13 at-bats. His arm feels good enough to begin a throwing program, during which he played catch from 60 feet away Wednesday. That distance will be increased over the next few days as long as he continues to improve.
Twins manager Paul Molitor now wants to get Rosario's bat sharp for the regular season, and will use him in the DH role until he's ready for outfield work. Rosario's absence has allowed Brock Stassi, Ryan LaMarre and others to get playing time. But now it's Rosario's turn.
"It will be good to get him some at-bats over the next couple of days," Molitor said.
Rosario sounded eager to get back in the batter's box after taking longer than expected for his arm to recover.
"I want to work on my approach and my timing and swing at strikes," Rosario said.
Unfortunate prediction
During Wednesday's Red Sox-Twins game, former Twin Eduardo Nunez was plunked by Twins righthander Tyler Duffey.
Nunez staggered to the backstop and needed a couple minutes while a trainer examined his right forearm. Nunez, known for such moments, remained in the game.
Duffey watched it all with an uneasy feeling. He saw Nunez before the game and joked he might hit him with a pitch. He was kidding, but he became nervous when he the ball got away from him and struck Nunez.
