Twins pitcher Trevor May is an "intriguing candidate" for the rotation's fifth spot, but will have a tough time beating out veterans Tommy Milone and Mike Pelfrey, reports MLB.com. The 6-foot-5 right-hander says he's in the best shape of his life and is looking to build off a solid finish to last season.
In May's last start, against Detroit, he allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while fanning seven over six innings.
"Toward the end, I stayed taller and my stuff got better," said May, 25. "I got more swings and misses. The runs that were scoring were more in spurts. And the walks got better, too. I started pounding the zone better than I ever have."
May added he hopes the progress he showed "was enough to keep me in the conversation. But baseball is a business and some guys are on contracts. If you're going to throw as good as them and your stats are identical, they're going to get the job. But that's how it is and I know that. But my job doesn't change because of that. My job is to be in the best shape possible and compete for a spot."
May said he's willing to work out of the bullpen if he doesn't make the rotation.