The Minnesota Twins will likely turn to Phil Hughes on Opening Day 2015.
First-year manager Paul Molitor, according to the Pioneer Press, said Monday after the team’s first workout of spring training that Hughes is probably going get the start April 6 against the Detroit Tigers.
“Right now, at least in pencil and preliminarily, that’s what we have in mind,” Molitor said of giving Hughes the start.
Hughes went 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA last season – his first with the Twins – and set an MLB record by posting an 11.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Pitchers and catchers reported to camp on Sunday and Monday was the first workout; the first workout under the guidance of new pitching coach Neil Allen.
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Ervin Santana, Ricky Nolasco and Kyle Gibson are basically locks to make the rotation. That leaves one spot available for Alex Meyer, Mike Pelfrey, Tommy Milone, Trevor May and any other starter capable of turning heads in Florida.
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Will Alex Meyer round out the rotation?
Former Twins closer and new bullpen coach Eddie Guardado has been impressed with how hard Meyer throws.
“Everybody loves 98,” Guardado said of how hard Meyer can throw, as reported by FOX Sports North, “but I think all of them here throw pretty hard. It’s where they put it. But 98, that’s something special. Now he’s learning how to pitch and we expect good things from him.”
The rest of the team reports to spring training on Friday.
Alex Meyer having a chat with new pitching coach Neil Allen. #mntwins pic.twitter.com/cNsDO0SzlV
— Derek Wetmore (@DerekWetmore) February 23, 2015
