Jason Bartlett Loses Out to Mediocre Veteran

Rookie shortstop Jason Bartlett's mother will be disappointed but the Twins pitchers are delighted. Bartlett, a minor league hitting sensation, has been lost in the field all spring, muffing even the easiest of routine popups. Thus he has been sent to the minors in favor of mediocre veteran Juan Castro, 33, who has never played a full season in the majors nor impressed with his bat at any level. With the defensively limited Tony Batista playing third this year, the Twins could ill afford another weak sister on the left side of the infield. Castro at least brings a good glove to the position, but Bartlett's failure is a major disappointment to management, who had dubbed Bartlett the shortstop of the future.