FORT MYERS, Fla. -- With the Twins set to play their first game of the spring on Thursday night against the University of Minnesota at Hammond Stadium before opening up Grapefruit League play against the Red Sox at JetBlue Park on Friday afternoon, the competition for roster spots is officially on.
Left-hander Stephen Gonsalves will start the exhibition game on Thursday, and right-hander Aaron Slegers will take the mound against Boston on Friday. But with the Twins acquiring Jake Odorizzi via a trade with the Rays and signing Anibal Sanchez to a one-year deal, neither prospect is expected to make the team, manager Paul Molitor said.