UPDATE: Tonight's game against the Orioles in Sarasota has been cancelled due to rain, and will not be made up.
The Twins got the news just as they finished batting practice and began heading for the team buses. Their next game will be Tuesday night in Hammond Stadium against the Rays. Vance Worley will start for Minnesota.
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins are taking batting practice at their own Hammond Stadium complex, as they await word from the Orioles about tonight's 7 p.m. exhibition game.
Rain is currently falling in Sarasota, where the Twins and Orioles are scheduled to play tonight at 6 p.m. CDT, and a tornado watch is in effect. Forecasts call for a thunderstorm to hit shortly before game time, so the Twins pushed back their 2:15 bus departure to 4 p.m., and took to the field for batting practice.
The game is scheduled to be televised by the MLB Network, and the Orioles are expecting a good crowd, so if there is a way to reasonably get the game in, Baltimore would like to try. But if the game is not going to be played, the Twins are hoping to avoid a two-hour bus ride.
With the weather in doubt, scheduled starter Kevin Correia pitched five innings during this afternoon's Class AA game, allowing the Twins to remain on rotation. Correia pitched well and said, aside from his pitch count, he feels ready to start the season right now.
Vance Worley has been moved up to start tonight's game, should it be played. And shortstop Pedro Florimon is expected to make his spring debut.
Check back for updates on the weather. Here is tonight's planned lineup:
