Right fielder Jason Kubel has spent almost three weeks
working out in Fort Myers and said he has not
experienced any pain or swelling in his surgically
reconstructed left knee. Kubel, who missed last
season, has not slid during his recovery, but that
test should come soon after Saturday's first
full-squad workout.

"I haven't had the opportunity to slide, but that's
not going to be a problem," said Kubel, who has a
chance to win a starting job. "I can pretty much do
what everyone else is doing."

Kubel has been icing his knee after every workout as a
precaution. The Twins' top hitting prospect, Kubel
said he has been feeling comfortable in batting
practice.

"I've already got my coaches going, 'Oh my goodness,
you should see him swinging,' " Gardenhire said. "I'm
going, 'Easy guys, it's been like a couple days of
spring.' He's going to run around in the outfield and
see if his knee swells up. We're guarded. I'm just in
a wait-and-see (mode)."