Twins manager Paul Molitor is facing a tough decision with a healthy battle underway for the team's fifth-starter role between Mike Pelfrey, Tommy Milone, Alex Meyer and Trevor May, MLB.com reports.
"We hope it's tough because people are performing well," Molitor said. "Mike has had a good spring to this point and is scheduled to pitch again in Clearwater, Fla., [against Philadelphia] on the 23rd. And Milone has looked good and we'll see him [Saturday]. Meyer is a little behind on pitch count but has been fine, and May seems like he has a little more mound presence so far than he did last year. That's probably what that experience did to him."
Pelfrey and Milone remain the top two candidates for the job, with Meyer and May having options remaining that can allow them to open the season at Triple-A. Pelfrey was impressive in a split-squad start Wednesday.
"Mostly, his fastball is getting the groundballs he needs, but he's using his split-finger more and gaining confidence with that pitch, and mixing in his curveball, which he hasn't done for a while," Molitor said. "His pace was pretty good, and we're always looking for those little things like pace and holding runners, and he knows that's important."