In Twins Rotation, Experience, Competition Is Up

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins had a major problem with starting pitching last season, so their first response was to increase the competition.

Scott Diamond is the only one of 12 pitchers who took at least five turns in the rotation last year who has been guaranteed a place this season. The Twins brought in three starters from the NL in Kevin Correia, Mike Pelfrey and Vance Worley to provide experience and, they hope, durability and success.

That leaves holdovers Nick Blackburn, Cole De Vries, Samuel Deduno, Liam Hendriks and P.J. Walters auditioning for probably one available spot. Top prospect Kyle Gibson also is in the mix, but he's coming off elbow ligament-replacement surgery that sidelined him for most of 2012.

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