Wart on foot slows Cuddyer

FORT MYERS, FLA. — A wart that was waved off by Michael Cuddyer now has become worrisome.

The wart, on Cuddyer's left foot, has limited his activities for the past couple of days and has knocked him out of the Twins' spring opener on Sunday against Boston.

It might knock him out of more games if the wart needs to be removed, at least according to the noted physician Dr. Ron Gardenhire.

"The first thing we're going to do is the days off [like yesterday] and see how he comes in tomorrow," the Twins manager said. "If they decide to do a procedure to take this thing out, then I would bet probably four of five days. Cuddy probably would be less than most people.

"But that's just guessing. That's not from a doctor. That's just me."

According to Gardenhire, Cuddyer's wart popped up during the offseason. Cuddyer tried to treat it himself, and it worsened. He reported to camp about two weeks ago but was seen limping on the affected foot.

Pitching rotation Here's how the Twins rotation sets up for the first week of spring training games.

The schedule could change, based on health. Baker had another good bullpen session on Friday and could come out of the bullpen in one of the games.

Fans shouldn't read too much into who is starting games and who is not, as schedules can always be adjusted. They should also keep in mind that their favorite Twins starter could end up getting a lot of innings in minor league spring games, once those begin, while the coaching staff evaluates new pitchers.

Etc. • Righthander Anthony Swarzak lost 25 pounds during the offseason while pitching in Venezuela and getting sick while eating food there.

• Twins bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek could miss all of spring training while recovering from surgery to reattach a torn retina.

THREE THINGS ABOUT ... RENE RIVERA

2. This will be his fifth major league organization.

3. He broke in with Seattle in 2004 and played parts of three seasons there. "In '05 we had seven catchers," he said. "That was a fun year."