FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Joe Mauer was impressed with the Twins pitching staff Sunday despite Minnesota’s 10-7 loss in 10 innings to the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his first spring training appearance, Mauer caught Kyle Gibson, a 2009 first-round draft pick out of the University of Missouri hoping to make the Twins’ rotation coming off Tommy John elbow-reconstruction surgery.
Gibson struck out two and gave up one hit in two innings.
Mauer went 0 for 2 with a walk. He is scheduled to leave camp after this week to play catcher for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Rays reliever Juan Sandoval, attempting to pitch in the big leagues with one eye because of a hunting accident in 2006, gave up one run and two hits in one inning. He struck out one.
