Young is first bat off the DL

Delmon Young, out since April 18 because of a left oblique muscle strain, was back in the starting lineup on Friday, and manager Ron Gardenhire hoped for big things from the Twins left fielder.

Young, the first of five position players to return from the DL, hit .400 in spring training and seemed primed for a fast start to the season, but he batted .228 with no homers and six RBI in 16 games before getting injured.

Now Gardenhire hopes that working out in the Florida sunshine warmed up Young's bat.

"He's really anxious to be back on the field," Gardenhire said. "We'll see how it all goes down. We'll see how he's swinging.

"We expect players like that to do good things and big things. You don't want to put too much pressure on him, but it is nice to write his name in the lineup."

Young went 1-for-4 in the Twins' 2-0 loss to Toronto.

Outfiedler Rene Tosoni was sent back to Class AAA Rochester after going 6-for-35 with one homer and three RBI in 13 games with the Twins. Ben Revere remains on the roster, with the team hoping to use his speed as an asset.

"He continues to take batting practice, agility drills, playing catch," McWane said. "They said he had a good day [Friday] and they continue to push him along, getting him in game shape."

Outfielder Jason Repko (strained right quadriceps) will play in his first extended spring training game Saturday.

Designated hitter Jim Thome (left oblique strain) is taking batting practice in Fort Myers but is not ready to play in games yet.

Etc. • Shortstop Trevor Plouffe, who missed three games because of a strained right hamstring, returned to the lineup Friday. Plouffe is expected to get several starts at shortstop to see if he is ready to help the club as an everyday player. If not, the chances that Nishioka shifts to shortstop when he returns increase.