Saturday, March 25, 2006

Jason Kubel May Win Job by Default

Twins rookie Jason Kubel, 23, who missed all of last year because of injury, was supposed to be competing for the starting right field job, but looked so rusty due to his lengthy layoff that manager Ron Gardenhire had all but resolved to send him back to the minors for a further tune-up. But with IF/OF Michael Cuddyer out with a strained oblique and reserve OF Ruben Sierra out with a strained quad, and IF/OF/C Matthew LeCroy gone to Washington, Kubel's prospects have brightened a little. Kubel, a former top pick, may be pressed into service in a platoon with OF Lew Ford. Kubel would get most of the AB facing righties, and should he find his stroke in the process still could win the starting job.