FOXSportsNorth.com will track reports from the news outlets already in Florida until March 4, when Tyler Mason will begin covering the team in Fort Myers. Here's a look at Thursday's top story lines from camp:
Twins win 'B' game: For the first time all season, Minnesota supporters can claim "Twins win." Even if it was in a spring training 'B' game, Minnesota had some bright moments Thursday, in a scrimmage they won, 6-5.
Starting hurlers Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn got their first true action following 2011 seasons that were injury marred. Baker went one inning Thursday, yielding two hits, including a home run to Boston catcher Ryan Lavarnway. Blackburn pitched one scoreless inning, allowing a single.
"Really, the idea of today was just to throw fastballs," Baker told the News-Press of Fort Myers, Fla.
"It was good to go out there and throw a few strikes," said Blackburn.
Baker went 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA last season, despite missing games with a strained flexor muscle in his arm. He sounds excited to get rolling in 2012.
"I'm excited," said the seven-year veteran, "that I can now get back into the starting routine, which is ideal."
Span survives crash with fence: Twins outfielder Denard Span endured a crash into an outfield fence Thursday morning, and suffered a cut lip.
Yet, he walked away with his pride largely intact.
"Right now," Span told the Pioneer-Press, "I feel okay."
Span, of course, dealt with a concussion last June, which makes any collisions cause for at least mild concern these days. But he has felt solid during this year's spring training, aside from the occasional bouts of fatigue.
"I've had days when I've had to fight through some stuff," the 28-year-old Span said, "but overall I haven't backed out of everything. This is what I'm trying to do, test myself now, because during the season it's a grind every day."
Gutierrez struggles: Thursday's scrimmage was a wild affair, considering the amount of players who saw action, plus the fact that the contest's umpires didn't show up until the third inning.
And, the sixth inning was called after two outs, because Twins right-hander Carlos Gutierrez had ground the game to a halt, according to a twincities.com account. Gutierrez, a reliever, surrendered two runs and three walks before the side was called.
"First time out, maybe he's a little nervous, but he's better than that," noted Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire. "He's got to pick up the pace of the game and throw the ball over."
