Twins Spring Training Notes: 3/9/2018

Here are my latest Twins' Spring Training notes:

• Kyle Gibson was at 37 pitches on Monday (and then threw on the side), Adalberto Mejia at 51 pitches on Tuesday, Jake Odorizzi at 54 pitches on Wednesday, and Jose Berrios at 56 on Friday.  Expect those limits to go up to 70-75 or so by next week. These four pitchers are the most likely at this point to make the Twins' rotation on opening day.
• Trevor May has started to throw breaking balls now and they are "nasty."
• Great article about Alan Busenitz, his off-season catcher, and his family business, but Mike Berardino at the PPD. And another one regarding Miguel Sano's titanium rod and potential prognosis based on the experience of a current teammate who faced the same situation a few seasons ago.
• Speaking of Sano, he hit his first two home runs of the Spring at Port Charlotte off the Rays' Andrew Kittredge and Vidal Nuño today.  He leads the Twins in this category, tied with Ryan LaMarre.  Must be the titanium rods. 
• Brian Buxton stole his second base of the Spring against the Rays, leading the Twins in this category.  He also ran onto the wall during the 4th inning, leading the Twins yet in another category.
• Former Twins' RHP Luke Bard who was drafted by the Angels in the Rule 5 draft has pitched 4 innings in 5 games this spring, walking 2, striking out 3, and allowed 8 hits and 5 earned runs.  He has a 11.25 ERA and 1.500 WHIP, and might be on his way to Fort Myers soon.
• Nick Burdi who was also drafted in the Rule 5 draft, was later traded to the Pirates and was put on the 60-day DL to start the season.  He must be on the 25-man roster for at least 90 days this season and/or next, not to be returned to the Twins.
  
• The Twins' minor league camp is in full swing.  This means that the second round of the Twins' cuts this Spring will be likely coming this weekend.  There are 53 players in the major league camp at this point, 26 pitchers and 27 position players.  With the bullpen battles the most important at this point, I anticipate more starters and position players (12 of which are non-roster invitees) to be cut.
• Not quite Spring Training-related, but the Twins' are linked to 15 year old speedy Venezuelan CF, Misael Urbina, for the upcoming international free agent signing period.  Flame throwing Venezuelan RHP Richard Gallardo, Dominican RHP Starlyn Castillo, and Cuban RHP Osiel Rodriguez will be the pitching gems of this class, but none is yet linked to the Twins.
• Some betting place has the Twins leading the odds for signing both Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb, and even has them as dark horses for Jake Arietta.
• The New York Times has the thoughts of the person who will sing the National Anthem at the Twins' home opener on that subject.
• Horrible news regarding some Twins' fans from Minnesota at Fort Myers.
• MLB vs the State of Florida in Spring Training of 1961 regarding human rights and segregation: A great read. 
• When Ron Gardenhire threatened to tackle Dave Winfield.

 I will be making more such notes in somewhat regular intervals few times a week and daily when I am at Fort Myers. To see all the notes and coverage of the 2018 Twins' Spring Training, including live reports from Fort Myers in the second half of March, please visit here