FORT MYERS, FLA. — The Twins have six starting pitchers who have done enough to remain starters in the big leagues. But the game hasn't evolved beyond five-man rotations. Yet.
So someone might be upset at the end of the spring training when he's told he will have to work out of the bullpen.
Or will he?
Twins righthander Kevin Slowey, who pitched three shutout innings during the Twins' 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay on Friday, understands that, based on manager Ron Gardenhire's comments, he, Scott Baker or Nick Blackburn could end up in the bullpen.
"Who are we to say we can be contributors only as starters?" Slowey said.
Slowey gave up one hit as he became the second Twins starter to pitch at least three innings in an outing. Jason Kubel led the way by going 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Slowey doesn't look at his starts as being more important just because a spot in the rotation might be at stake.
"For me, it's about preparing for the season," he said, "and I don't think any outing is more important than the next, other than that I make the adjustments that I need to make from one outing to the next."
