Day 11: Gearing up for tomorrow’s “B” game

FORT MYERS, Fla. — It was a light day of workouts, as only a few pitchers threw live batting practice today because the club is preparing for tomorrow’s “B” game against the Red Sox.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire announced his starting lineup for the game, which starts at 1 p.m. at Hammond Stadium and is free to public.

The Twins will use nine pitchers in the game, as starting pitchers Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn will be followed by Liam Hendriks, Jeff Manship, Jason Bulger, Carlos Gutierrez, Tyler Robertson, Brendan Wise and Deolis Guerra.

Among position players, the starters are catcher J.R. Towles, first baseman Aaron Bates, second baseman Pedro Florimon, third baseman Ray Chang, shortstop Brian Dozier, left fielder Ben Revere, center fielder Joe Benson, right fielder Rene Tosoni and designated hitter Brian Dinkelman.

The Red Sox plan to use pitchers Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard, Clayton Mortensen, Jesse Carlson, Tony Pena, Alex Wilson, Will Inman and Justin Thomas, according to Red Sox beat reporter Ian Browne.

But the big news today was Justin Morneau clarifying his earlier statements about how if he continues to suffer from concussion-like symptoms, he won’t have a career. Here’s the full story on what he said today.

Joe Mauer also talked with the media and said he’s feeling just fine and can’t wait for Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener against the Rays. Be on the lookout on Twinsbaseball.com for more on Mauer.

Other notes from today:

- Luke Hughes (shoulder) threw for the first time today, and reported no problems. He says he’ll throw up to 90 feet tomorrow and hopes to take batting practice. He could play in his first Spring Training game next week.

- Gardenhire is waiting to announce who will start the club’s Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Rays. My guess is that it’s Carl Pavano considering Baker and Blackburn throw tomorrow and Francisco Liriano throws on Sunday. It could be Jason Marquis, but I bet Pavano gets the nod.

- Twins GM Terry Ryan on Morneau and Denard Span: “I don’t worry about Justin any more than I worry about Span; they had the same symptoms, but both of them are doing wonderful.”

Photos from today: