Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Twins/Cardinals lineups

The Twins got a late start to batting practice today because of the MLBPA meeting that lasted about two hours. Things are running on time here in Fort Myers, though ... here are your lineups for today:

Minnesota
Luis Castillo, 2B
Nick Punto, 3B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Justin Morneau, 1B
Torii Hunter, CF
Rondell White, LF
Jeff Cirillo, DH
Alexi Casilla, SS
Johan Santana, P

St. Louis
David Eckstein, SS
Chris Duncan, DH
Albert Pujols, 1B
Scott Spiezio, 3B
Tag Bozied, RF
Ryan Ludwick, LF
Yadier Molina, C
So Taguchi, CF
Adam Kennedy, 2B
Kip Wells, P

Good morning from Ft. Myers

It's a lovely day in Florida, though I hear the weather up north isn't so bad, either. The clubhouse just closed for the annual MLB Players Association meeting, so I thought I'd take a minute to introduce myself ... my name is Kelsie Smith, and I'll be your Pioneer Press blogger for the rest of Spring Training 2007.

To get the day started ...

Matt Garza woke up with no neck pain after pitching pain free for the first time this spring yesterday. Garza said the pain started during the first live batting practice when hitters reported to camp in February. As previously written, he woke up with headaches in the morning and neck pain. He went to a chiropractor, who readjusted some misalignment in Garza's neck and then Garza received the lidocaine shot, he said, to loosen up the muscles in his neck. The shot was a one-time deal, and he hasn't felt anything since.

The Twins face the world champion St. Louis Cardinals today at Hammond Stadium, with Johan Santana getting the ball first.

Check back for more updates throughout the day ...