For the first time since July 7, 2010, Ron Gardenhire was able to pencil both Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau into his lineup card for the Minnesota Twins, as Mauer played the designated hitter role in the Twins' game this afternoon against the New York Mets.
Mauer is also scheduled to catch a minor league game tomorrow, and has no doubts that he will be ready for Opening Day in Toronto on April 1.
The lineup that Ron Gardenhire put out onto the field today looks a lot like what we can probably expect for that Opening Day lineup as well, with the obvious exception of Mauer being penciled in behind the plate and someone else taking on the DH role. Here's what the Twins went with for their lineup today.
Denard Span, center field
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, second base
Joe Mauer, designated hitter
Justin Morneay, first base
Delmon Young, left field
Danny Valencia, third base
Jason Kubel, right field
Steve Holm, catcher
Alexi Casilla, shortstop
My guess is that by Opening Day, we'll see Michael Cuddyer in right, Mauer behind the plate, and Kubel or Jim Thome in that designated hitter spot.
In any event, it's very good to see the hometown boy back in the lineup again. Opening Day can't possibly get here soon enough.