Twins-Pirates game rained out
BRADENTON, Fla. – The spring training game between the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates was rained out Saturday.
Twins manager Paul Molitor had no complaints.
“It’s been a great spring,” he told reporters. “The weather has been great.”
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said the club’s pitching plans “will stay right in line” despite the weather. Left-hander Jon Niese threw an extended bullpen session indoors, as did left-handed reliever Eric O’Flaherty, a candidate for the final spot in the Pirates’ bullpen.
Twins left-hander Tommy Milone returned to Fort Myers to pitch in a simulated game. In his first three starts, Milone allowed six hits and two runs in nine innings.
Twins: CF Byron Buxton was back in the Twins’ lineup Saturday, which would have been his first game in six days. He was sent home from camp Wednesday and Thursday with flu-like symptoms. He is hitting 4-for-20 this spring. Molitor said Buxton will be in the lineup the next few days, if weather permits.
“He’s going to get a lot of action this week,” Molitor said. “I’m not too concerned. But he’s scheduled to play tomorrow. We just might have to extend him a bit innings-wise to get him some at-bats.”
Pirates: OF Austin Meadows, a first-round pick in 2013, had surgery on his right eye to repair an orbital fracture. His estimated time of return to full baseball activity is six to eight weeks. Meadows fractured the orbital bone while playing catch during a March 8 workout.
Twins: RHP Ervin Santana is in line to start today against the New York Yankees in Fort Myers. Santana, the expected opening day starter, is 1-0 with five scoreless innings under his belt this spring. He has walked two and struck out five.
Pirates: RHP A.J. Schugel will make his first spring start today against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. RHP Ryan Vogelsong, the team’s No. 4 starter, will pitch in a minor league game in Bradenton. Hurdle said the team preferred to keep Vogelsong in a controlled environment as he ramps up to 75 pitches.