Milone gave up one run over two innings with three strikeouts in his spring debut Friday as he battles for the fifth starter role with Ricky Nolasco, Jose Berrios and Trevor May. "I would say he's got a little edge because he's got a bit more of a resume," GM Terry Ryan told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Milone is also the only left-handed starter among all the rotation candidates, so that may also give him an edge. Milone had a 3.92 ERA and 1.27 WHIP last year as a starter, but his mediocre 6.3 K/9 and a meager 87.8 mph average fastball may not offer a ton of upside. Still, he looks like the favorite for the fifth starter job early this spring.