Here are some tidbits that didn’t get into the stories…

–Scott Baker threw five shutout innings in a Minor League start against Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday. He allowed three hits and struck out four while throwing a total of 58 pitches in the outing. Baker’s next start will come on Opening Day, April 6, against the Mariners at the Metrodome.

— Left-handed pitcher Jose Lugo, a Rule 5 Draft pick, was returned to the Twins by the Mariners. He was assigned to Double-A New Britain

— The Rays stole five bases in Wednesday’s contest with backup catcher Jose Morales behind the plate. While the Rays are known for using their speed on the basepaths, manager Ron Gardenhire said that Morales was also trying to be a little too quick in trying to throw guys out.

“He had a couple of chances, the one to third base, that’s the one he should have thrown him out on but he got too quick and dropped the ball,” Gardenhire said. “But we know that’s a process. That’s not the best part of his game, but you have to do a better job than that. He knows that and he’s been working hard.”

Former Twins pitcher Matt Garza will be facing his old team for the first time today when the Twins host the Rays at Hammond Stadium.

Garza is slated to be the Rays’ No. 3 starter this season and is coming off a breakout 2008 season when he was named the MVP of the ALCS vs. the Red Sox. This will be Garza’s fourth official start this spring and he’s 0-0 with a 5.90 ERA in his previous three outings.

As for the Twins, both Justin Morneau and Joe Crede are back in the lineup after getting a day off yesterday due to the long rain delay.

It was a pretty quiet morning in the Twins clubhouse so not much news to report, but I’ll leave you with the lineups — both of which feature many of the regulars so you can tell we’re getting toward the end of Spring Training. Today also marks the final spring broadcast being shown on FS North, so for those of you looking to catch a glimpse of the club, tune in.

Twins
Denard Span, CF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Joe Crede, 3B
Jose Morales, C
Nick Punto, SS
Pitching: Glen Perkins, LHP

Rays
Akinori Iwamura, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Pat Burrell, DH
Dioner Navarro, C
Ben Zobrist, RF
Gabe Kapler, CF
Jason Bartlett, SS
Pitching: Matt Garza, RHP

After a two-day break, I’m back on the beat again and here for the Twins final game in Sarasota since the Reds are moving their Spring Training to Arizona next year.

I know all of us beat writers will miss the short drive to Sarasota (yes, an hour and 15 minute drive is short for us from Fort Myers). And the hope is that if they can’t bring in another team to Fort Myers, they might be able to attract one here in Sarasota.

All right back to baseball, Carlos Gomez says that his back is feeling much better and that he could have played earlier this week but the training staff felt it was best to wait. He’ll back in the lineup tomorrow.

Joe Mauer had a glove in his hand today as he went to work out with strength and conditioning coordinator Perry Castellano. Not sure what that means exactly in terms of his program right now but it’s certainly a positive sign.

Also, manager Ron Gardenhire said that the team will make another set of cuts on Friday morning. With just a little over a week remaining of camp, my guess is there will be a significant amount of moves.

Here are the lineups —

Twins
Denard Span, CF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Brendan Harris, 3B
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Mike Redmond, C
Nick Punto, SS
Nick Blackburn, P

Reds
Willie Taveras, CF
Jerry Hairston, Jr, SS
Joey Votto, 1B
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Jay Bruce, RF
Jeff Keppinger, 3B
Chris Dickerson, LF
Ramon Hernandez, C
Micah Owings, P