Cuddyer shifts to second
MINNEAPOLIS -- For the first time since the 2004 playoffs, Twins third baseman Michael Cuddyer started at second base Wednesday against the Giants.
"It's just something that the team needs right now with some guys banged up," Cuddyer said. "It's fortunate that I have some experience over there and am able to move over there and hopefully not miss a beat."
Cuddyer was moved around the infield last season and logged 48 games at second base, plus all four American League Division Series games against the Yankees. He won the starting job at third base during Spring Training this year.
"As an everyday player, you're just looking to get into the lineup," Cuddyer said. "It doesn't matter what position, just as long as you're in there. I'm still in the lineup, just another position, and I'm going to have fun with it."
Manager Ron Gardenhire wanted to keep his right-handed hitters in the lineup against Giants lefty Noah Lowry. Switch-hitter Luis Rodriguez is more effective from the left side. Moving Cuddyer to second base wasn't Gardenhire's first choice.
"[Brent] Abernathy would have been playing today against a lefty, but we'll just mix it up," Gardenhire said.
Abernathy injured his right shoulder in a collision with the wall during the ninth inning of Tuesday's 4-3 victory. He reported stiffness and soreness before Wednesday's game and remains day-to-day.
Switch-hitter Glenn Williams, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on June 7, started at third base.
Record-tying streak: Reliever Jesse Crain recorded his sixth win of the season Tuesday and upped his career record to 9-0. According to The Sporting News Baseball Record Book, Crain has tied the AL record for most consecutive wins to begin a career as a relief pitcher.
All six of Crain's victories this season have come in extra-inning games. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 29 of his 30 appearances. Gardenhire said it seems like every year one of his relief pitchers capitalizes on win opportunities.
"Last year it was [Juan] Rincon," Gardenhire said. "They just find themselves in the right spot, and they pitch an inning and get a win. Maybe we should start doing that with Crain in the first and second innings and score some runs."
Injury report: Barring any setbacks, second baseman Luis Rivas (strained left oblique) will begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment on Friday that will last five or six days. Gardenhire said he hopes to activate Rivas from the disabled list for the Twins' series against the Brewers beginning June 24.
"He's swinging good, feels fine," Gardenhire said. "He's moving around good."
Nick Punto, on the DL with a pulled right hamstring since June 3, took batting practice before Wednesday's game and fielded ground balls.
"Nicky's actually made some progress," Gardenhire said. "The scary thing is that he tries to push it a little too hard. We'll hold him down as long as we can, but it's good that he wants to get going again."
On deck: The Twins and Giants will close their series Thursday at 7:10 p.m. CT at the Metrodome. Joe Mays will take the mound for Minnesota against Brett Tomko.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com
"It's just something that the team needs right now with some guys banged up," Cuddyer said. "It's fortunate that I have some experience over there and am able to move over there and hopefully not miss a beat."
Cuddyer was moved around the infield last season and logged 48 games at second base, plus all four American League Division Series games against the Yankees. He won the starting job at third base during Spring Training this year.
"As an everyday player, you're just looking to get into the lineup," Cuddyer said. "It doesn't matter what position, just as long as you're in there. I'm still in the lineup, just another position, and I'm going to have fun with it."
Manager Ron Gardenhire wanted to keep his right-handed hitters in the lineup against Giants lefty Noah Lowry. Switch-hitter Luis Rodriguez is more effective from the left side. Moving Cuddyer to second base wasn't Gardenhire's first choice.
"[Brent] Abernathy would have been playing today against a lefty, but we'll just mix it up," Gardenhire said.
Abernathy injured his right shoulder in a collision with the wall during the ninth inning of Tuesday's 4-3 victory. He reported stiffness and soreness before Wednesday's game and remains day-to-day.
Switch-hitter Glenn Williams, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on June 7, started at third base.
Record-tying streak: Reliever Jesse Crain recorded his sixth win of the season Tuesday and upped his career record to 9-0. According to The Sporting News Baseball Record Book, Crain has tied the AL record for most consecutive wins to begin a career as a relief pitcher.
All six of Crain's victories this season have come in extra-inning games. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 29 of his 30 appearances. Gardenhire said it seems like every year one of his relief pitchers capitalizes on win opportunities.
"Last year it was [Juan] Rincon," Gardenhire said. "They just find themselves in the right spot, and they pitch an inning and get a win. Maybe we should start doing that with Crain in the first and second innings and score some runs."
Injury report: Barring any setbacks, second baseman Luis Rivas (strained left oblique) will begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment on Friday that will last five or six days. Gardenhire said he hopes to activate Rivas from the disabled list for the Twins' series against the Brewers beginning June 24.
"He's swinging good, feels fine," Gardenhire said. "He's moving around good."
Nick Punto, on the DL with a pulled right hamstring since June 3, took batting practice before Wednesday's game and fielded ground balls.
"Nicky's actually made some progress," Gardenhire said. "The scary thing is that he tries to push it a little too hard. We'll hold him down as long as we can, but it's good that he wants to get going again."
On deck: The Twins and Giants will close their series Thursday at 7:10 p.m. CT at the Metrodome. Joe Mays will take the mound for Minnesota against Brett Tomko.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com
