Since the Wilson Ramos and Trevor Plouffe experiments worked out favorably for the Twins this season, they're hoping they'll be able to say the same about Danny Valencia.
While Ramos and Plouffe had fine debuts at catcher and shortstop, respectively, Valencia -- billed as the club's third baseman of the future -- will be joining the Twins (31-22) on Thursday with the opportunity to play immediately.
"[Valencia's] going to come up and play," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Put him in the lineup. We're facing tons of left-handers, two in Oakland for sure. Get him up here and let him swing."
With Orlando Hudson out with a wrist injury, the Twins can move Nick Punto to second base and allow Valencia to get his feet wet at third.
Valencia's first callup will come as outfielder Michael Cuddyer goes on the bereavement list following the death of his father-in-law. Cuddyer will rejoin the team in Minneapolis early next week.
In the other clubhouse, the Mariners will also be without a familiar face Thursday.
Seattle (21-31) players will come to the ballpark for the first time this season knowing full well that Ken Griffey Jr. will not be in the lineup. Griffey, who announced his retirement before Seattle's 2-1 win Wednesday, walks away as one of the prominent faces of the Seattle franchise.
"I hit left-handed because of Griffey," Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley said after Wednesday's game. "I wanted to play baseball, be an outfielder, make diving catches, style on a home run, because of Griffey. Guys like him don't come around every day. He's just as magical off the field as on it. I just called him, and he was driving back through Florida on his own terms smiling and happy, still classy."
Mariners: Felix looks to snap unwanted streak
Mariners starter Felix Hernandez, who will take the mound Thursday in the series finale, has struggled out of the gates this season. The 24-year-old right-hander (2-4, 3.50) hasn't won a game since April 21, and that includes his past four starts, despite his 2.25 ERA over that span. He is tied for the American League lead in quality starts (nine) and is 3-3 in nine career starts against Minnesota.
Twins: Mauer enjoys seeing Seattle
After going 1-for-3 with a walk on Wednesday, Twins catcher Joe Mauer is hitting a career .378 (59-for-156) against Seattle in 41 games. It's the highest batting average among all active players against the Mariners. Mauer is hitting .319 this year. ... A loss Thursday would match the Twins' longest losing streak of the season -- three games.
While Ramos and Plouffe had fine debuts at catcher and shortstop, respectively, Valencia -- billed as the club's third baseman of the future -- will be joining the Twins (31-22) on Thursday with the opportunity to play immediately.
"[Valencia's] going to come up and play," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Put him in the lineup. We're facing tons of left-handers, two in Oakland for sure. Get him up here and let him swing."
With Orlando Hudson out with a wrist injury, the Twins can move Nick Punto to second base and allow Valencia to get his feet wet at third.
Valencia's first callup will come as outfielder Michael Cuddyer goes on the bereavement list following the death of his father-in-law. Cuddyer will rejoin the team in Minneapolis early next week.
In the other clubhouse, the Mariners will also be without a familiar face Thursday.
Seattle (21-31) players will come to the ballpark for the first time this season knowing full well that Ken Griffey Jr. will not be in the lineup. Griffey, who announced his retirement before Seattle's 2-1 win Wednesday, walks away as one of the prominent faces of the Seattle franchise.
"I hit left-handed because of Griffey," Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley said after Wednesday's game. "I wanted to play baseball, be an outfielder, make diving catches, style on a home run, because of Griffey. Guys like him don't come around every day. He's just as magical off the field as on it. I just called him, and he was driving back through Florida on his own terms smiling and happy, still classy."
Mariners: Felix looks to snap unwanted streak
Mariners starter Felix Hernandez, who will take the mound Thursday in the series finale, has struggled out of the gates this season. The 24-year-old right-hander (2-4, 3.50) hasn't won a game since April 21, and that includes his past four starts, despite his 2.25 ERA over that span. He is tied for the American League lead in quality starts (nine) and is 3-3 in nine career starts against Minnesota.
Twins: Mauer enjoys seeing Seattle
After going 1-for-3 with a walk on Wednesday, Twins catcher Joe Mauer is hitting a career .378 (59-for-156) against Seattle in 41 games. It's the highest batting average among all active players against the Mariners. Mauer is hitting .319 this year. ... A loss Thursday would match the Twins' longest losing streak of the season -- three games.
