Twins day at camp: Garnett/Hunter first pitch part of home-opener festivities

A home-opener pairing of Torii Hunter and Kevin Garnett makes too much sense.

The battery of local sports heroes will be in place April 13 at Target Field when Garnett, who has returned to the Wolves to finish his career, will throw out the first pitch. The catcher will be Hunter, who has returned to the Twins to also finish his career. The ceremonial first pitch will take place before the Twins play host to the defending American League champion Royals.

That will culminate a day that starts at 6 a.m. with breakfast on the plaza. DJ Mad Mardigan will perform on the balcony overlooking Target Plaza at noon. Live music will begin at Target Field Station at noon.

Shawn Mendes will perform at Target Field around 2:30 p.m. The national anthem will be performed by local singer Greta Oglesby.

After the first pitch, pregame festivities will conclude with a F-16 flyover by the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota National Guard out of Duluth.

The Twins expect the home opener to be a sellout and are planning to sell standingroom-only seats.

Catcher Josmil Pinto, according to General Manager Terry Ryan, has made a little progress each day in his battle with concussion-like symptoms. But Pinto, hit on the head three times Saturday during the follow-through of Adam Jones' swing, has not been cleared to resume baseball activities yet.

"We have certainly talked to the commissioner's office about his symptoms, and we told them we are going to monitor him," Ryan said.

The Twins cut six players from camp and now have 35 players left and need to trim 10 before Opening Day.

Righthander A.J. Achter was optioned to Class AAA Rochester while outfielders Danny Ortiz and Eric Farris, infielders James Beresford and Jose Martinez and catcher Tyler Grimes were reassigned to the minor league camp.

Achter, 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 7⅔ innings, has the best chance of the group to get called up.

"Achter has had a good spring," Ryan said. "I think he fared well here. He's behind a couple other guys, but he did a nice job. You'll probably see him over the course of this season at some point."

Righthander Kyle Gibson will make his fifth start of spring when he faces Tampa Bay at Hammond Stadium. Righthander Matt Andriese will start for the Rays. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Wednesday.

La Velle E. Neal III