Spring Training Notes-3/27

• Yesterday, the Twins finalized their opening day roster by sending Jim Hoey, Anthony Slama, and Luke Hughes down to AAA to start the season. The moves mean Glen Perkins, Jeff Manship, and Matt Tolbert will begin the season with the big club. I don't mind the bullpen moves, but I was hoping to see Luke Hughes start the season with the big club. But Hughes did not have a good final two weeks, giving Tolbert the job. Tolbert will be used as a pinch runner late in games and will give the occasional day off to an infielder.
  
• Saturday night the Twins staged a six run ninth inning to come from behind and defeat the Red Sox 9-8 and win the Mayor's Cup. I can't confirm this but I believe the last time the Twins won the Mayor's Cup is 2006 (No one really cares about a Spring Training award, so records are hard to find). Chase Lambin hit a bases clearing triple off of new Red Sox Bobby Jenks to give the Twins the lead. It's kind of nice to see the Twins beat up on the Red Sox, even if its just exhibition.
  
• With today's start from Carl Pavano, it would appear that the starting rotation will be Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, and Brian Duensing to open the season. The Twins open the season in Toronto on April 1 for three games then travel to New York to play the Yankees for four games. The starters will definitely be tested on the opening road trip.
  
• Sunday, Ron Gardenhire said that he believes that Justin Morneau would open the season with the team and not on the disabled list. At some point in the next day or two, Morneau is expected to meet with his doctors and get clearance to play full time again. Morneau has apparently been feeling great and has had no setbacks with his concussion since he resumed playing games this spring. Fingers crossed folks!
• Monday marks the final Spring game in Florida for the Twins as they play the Pirates. Tuesday, they fly to Atlanta for two games against the Braves at Turner Field before having a off day Thursday and the opener Friday. Good thing they didn't have the two exhibition games at Target Field before the season, like they did in 2010. Snow, would of been kind of in the way. It would of been interesting to see how the Twins would of handled that.
• This marks my final Spring Notes blog of 2011. Kind of hard to believe the Spring is almost over. But the incredibly great news is that the regular season is right around the corner! It will be nice to watch games on TV and get out to the ballpark once again.