By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) –
LAKELAND, Fla. — If Scott Baker or another Minnesota Twins starting pitcher isn’t ready to start the season, Liam Hendriks could be the first called upon to their place.
After opening the spring with seven scoreless relief innings, Hendriks made his first start Wednesday, holding the Tigers to two runs on four hits over four innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out two in the 7-3 Twins victory.
“I’m going to go out there and try and throw as well as I can regardless of if there’s a rotation spot open or not,” Hendriks said.
The 23-year-old righthander was the team’s minor-league pitcher of the year last year but went 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in four September starts for the Twins. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Hendriks could have done a better job making adjustments against the Tigers.
“So those are the things you look for in younger guys, but in all honesty, we like him,” Gardenhire said.
Baker will try to show he’s past his recent bout with right elbow tendonitis in a two-inning minor-league start Thursday.
