Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday that the club expects both Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson to make the starting rotation out of spring training.

That is no surprise with Ortiz, who was signed to a one-year, $3.1 million major league contract. But Ponson was signed to a minor-league deal that becomes guaranteed for $1 million only if he makes the team.

“I view [Ponson] being one of our starters,” Gardenhire said. “I expect him to step up and take one of those jobs. Whether it happens or not is totally up to him.”

Nothing is set in stone, but the Twins hope to start the year with a starting rotation of Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, Boof Bonser, Ortiz and Ponson.

As for what that means for Matt Garza, Glen Perkins, Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey?

“It makes them all work harder to change our minds,” Gardenhire said. “We have great young arms. You’re looking for a few veterans so you can give a little more time to these young arms [in the minors], but if that doesn’t happen, like we’ve said all along, we’ll go the other route.”