Michael Cuddyer makes entry in lineup against Baltimore Orioles
Michael Cuddyer took the opportunity to join the rest of the healthy squad on deck in a fixture against the Baltimore Orioles in the Grapefruit League. The match which played out in Fort Myers, Florida, was the first for the outfielder, who was out due to
a discomfort in his foot.
It was only on 1st March that the player had a wart removed from the same left foot. His outing against the Orioles was a major test in the eyes of the team that has been looking to get ready for the Opening Day challenge. Cuddyer made his way
to the team that was sporting a recovering batch of returning players, namely Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer.
Manager, Ron Gardenhire had Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Denard Span, Alexi Casilla, Jason Kubel, and Danny Valencia in the lineup as well. He was content with the squad.
"I like our lineup," Gardenhire said. "I can mix and match and move guys around the line up depending on who's pitching, hitting really good or scuffling. So we'll go with this and go from there. But if you have Danny Valencia hitting eighth, you're doing
pretty good."
Cuddyer’s first outing in spring came after the hitter went 6-for-13 in three minor league encounters.
"I obviously didn't expect [my first Grapefruit League game would] come this late in Spring Training," Cuddyer said. "But it's good it's finally here."
With less than a week left on the time slot, Cuddyer was happy to see the squad healthy.
"It's obviously a lot later than we expected or we wanted it to be, but as long as you get that line up for Opening Day, that's the goal," Cuddyer said. "It appears - knock on wood - it's heading that way."
Joe Mauer took the opportunity to talk on the situation, and spoke on similar lines, as did Cuddyer on the team and the squad. He told the press that he felt happy about the squad getting together for the first time, in nine months. Mauer was content with
the healthy position of the club before the start of the season. He talked about every player realizing the fact that “it’s good” to see him, Morneau and Cuddyer in shape for the long season in the year.
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