Wednesday lineups: Twins vs. Mariners
Posted on April 8th, 2009 – 3:16 PMBy Joe Christensen
Here are tonight’s starting lineups. Updates to come.
Update: Mike Redmond is in catching gear behind the plate, and third base coach Scott Ullger is on the mound. Redmond is working on his throws to second base and third base, testing his injured right groin muscle.
Be sure to check out La Velle’s update on Joe Mauer.
Update: Redmond is convinced he’ll be ready to start Thursday. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he’s questionable.
“It’s about the team; it’s not always about the individual,” Gardenhire said. “Whether you can go out and perform and help the team, not just because, ‘I’m John Wayne.’ Everybody plays hurt. No one wants to go on the DL, but it’s about the team, and that’s what we’re tyring to make sure we do the right thing for the team.”
Redmond said, “I can understand, we’re thin. I feel like I wouldn’t go out there and do it if I didn’t think I could still help this team. I’m not stupid. I’m not going to go out there and play if I don’t think I can play.”
He added: “Sure there’s always a risk of blowing it out or tearing it or whatever. It would be easy for me to sit here and say put me on the DL. But you know what: I haven’t played 11 years in the big leagues, so that every time I get banged up to say, ‘Put me on the DL.’ It’s not an option for me, sorry.
“If go out there and I blow it out, then I blow it out, put me on the DL. My job is to hold down the fort until Joe [Mauer] comes back. I’m going to go out there if I have one leg, and I have to drag the other one, I’m going to do that. I’m sorry, it’s just me.”
Update: Bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek was on the field in street clothes briefly, but the Twins might give him some extra time to make sure he’s at full health before returning to the job. Gardenhire said they’ll probably have someone fill in as bullpen coach in Chicago.
MARINERS (1-1)
1. Endy Chavez, RF
2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
3. Ken Griffey Jr., DH
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Russell Branyan, 1B
6. Jose Lopez, 2B
7. Kenji Johjima, C
8. Ronny Cedeno, LF
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Carlos Silva
TWINS (1-1)
1. Denard Span, LF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Michael Cuddyer, RF
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Carlos Gomez, CF
8. Jose Morales, C
9. Nick Punto, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Kevin Slowey
Metrodome. First pitch: 7:10 p.m.


