Joe Christensen
Star Tribune

FORT MYERS, FLA. - With Michael Cuddyer injured and Lew Ford struggling,
Jason Kubel has pretty much taken over right field.

And the move might not be temporary.

"I would not be uncomfortable if I started [Kubel] Opening Day against
[Toronto pitcher Roy] Halladay," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said
Wednesday. "I would not be uncomfortable with that at all."

Kubel has started three consecutive games for the Twins in right field,
and four of the past five, showing no signs of trouble with his surgically
repaired left knee. Including an additional pinch-hit appearance, he is
5-for-15 in his past six games with a home run, two walks, two doubles and
five RBI.

Kubel drilled a two-run homer in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the
Baltimore Orioles and added a sacrifice fly.

"It's time for me to show something," Kubel said.

This is exactly what Gardenhire had been looking for in the three-way
battle for right field.

Cuddyer was hitting .500 until he strained an oblique muscle March 20.

After rehabbing the injury, Cuddyer will get at-bats as the designated
hitter in a minor league game today. He said he's determined to break camp
with the team Sunday, but the Twins want to be sure he won't injure
himself again.

"As I've told him, we really have to slow this thing down," Gardenhire
said. "This is something that could come back in a heartbeat."

Meantime, Ford is batting .233. Gardenhire watched him play in a minor
league game Wednesday and noted both his base hits and his popups.

Batista's job security

Even though Tony Batista continues to struggle at third base, Twins
General Manager Terry Ryan said he can foresee no reason why he won't make
the team.

Batista went 0-for-3 with a walk against Baltimore, lowering his average
to .216. He also mishandled a potential double-play ball, getting only one
out.

Ryan said he's seen several veterans who have struggled in spring training
and done well once the season starts. He's hoping that's the case for
Batista as well.

Injury update

As Juan Castro started his third consecutive game at shortstop, Jason
Bartlett did some running drills to test his left hamstring. Staying
cautious, Gardenhire said Bartlett will run the bases again today.

Ruben Sierra (strained quad) took batting practice from both sides of the
plate and has asked to DH in a minor league game. But Gardenhire indicated
Sierra won't break camp with the team if he's unable to play defense.

"I've started the season with people less than 100 percent, and I don't
like it at all," Gardenhire said. "It's very, very scary. It's not fair to
a lot of people who have worked hard down here."

Roster moves

The Twins trimmed their spring roster to 29 players with a flurry of
moves:

* They placed pitcher David Gassner on the 15-day disabled list because of
an elbow strain.

* They returned Rule 5 pick Jason Pridie to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who
assigned the outfielder to their Class AAA Durham roster.

* They lost catcher Rob Bowen, when the Detroit Tigers claimed him off
waivers. The Tigers must keep Bowen on their major league squad or expose
him to waivers again.

* They reassigned pitcher Dennys Reyes, catcher Shawn Wooten and
infielders Luis Maza and Glenn Williams to minor league camp.

With the Williams move, Terry Tiffee appears to be the favorite to make
the roster as the 25th man -- if Cuddyer, Bartlett and Sierra are
unavailable to start the season.

Last update: March 29, 2006 – 11:17 PM