FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins manager Paul Molitor essentially revealed that veteran Ervin Santana will be the club's Opening Day starter for a second straight season, but he hasn't told the right-hander about the decision in person yet.
Santana was easily Minnesota's best starter in 2016, posting a 3.38 ERA in 30 starts. He also started on Opening Day for the first time in his career, but his outing in Baltimore was cut short because of rain after only two innings. He'll be looking for a longer outing when the Twins open the season against the Royals on April 3 at Target Field.