Twins minor league executive Jim Rantz told Sports Headliners that Tsuyoshi Nishioka has been “playing a lot of shortstop” since being demoted last week to Triple A Rochester’s training camp. However, the second year Japanese infielder “may end up at second base” if shortstop Brian Dozier (now with the Twins) plays for Rochester.
Nishioka disappointed the Twins in the field and at bat not only last year but in spring training this month. How has the man who the Twins gave a $9 million contract to reacted to the demotion? “His mental approach seems okay,” Rantz said. “He’s gotten after it.”
Rantz said the Twins may eventually use Nishioka as a utility player, someone who can play shortstop, second base and third base. He hit .226 for the Twins last season while playing shortstop and second base, making 12 errors in 66 games.
Former Twins general manager Billy Smith now has the title of special assistant to the president and general manager. Rantz said Smith’s work includes responsibilities with the Twins’ spring training facilities, and the baseball academies in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
As of this morning the Twins have 38 active players in camp: 17 pitchers (2 non-roster), 5 catchers (2 non-roster), 10 infielders (4 non-roster), and 6 outfielders (1 non-roster).
The Gophers hockey team defeated North Dakota yesterday to advance to the Frozen Four in Tampa on April 5 but only 10,974 fans were in attendance at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota earned its 20th program appearance in the national semifinal finals where the Gophers will play either Boston College or Minnesota Duluth.
The Wild recalled forward Chad Rau yesterday from Houston. He made his NHL debut on January 21, scoring the winning goal against Dallas.
The annual Minnesota Football Coaches Clinic has pre-registrations of over 900. The Thursday-Friday clinic this week will be at the DoubleTree Hotel in St. Louis Park and TCF Bank Stadium. Speakers will include Vikings assistant coach Jerry Saxon and University of Houston head coach Tony Levine. Registrations will continue to be accepted online (mnfootballclinic.com) and beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday at the DoubleTree.
Former Gophers athletic director McKinley Boston, now the A.D. at New Mexico State, said the Aggies will have 12 junior college transfers on the 2012 team including nine at spring practice. He expects the Aggies to contend for the WAC championship next fall. New Mexico State’s head coach is former Gopher player DeWayne Walker.
The Rochester Quarterbacks Club will induct ex-Gophers football player Tom Robbins into its Hall of Fame on April 16. Other inductees will include St. Thomas University swimming coach Tom Hodgson. The club president is Rochester radio legend Ed Rauen.
Former Wolves coach Flip Saunders will speak to the C.O.R.E.S. group at a May 10 luncheon in Bloomington. (C.O.R.E.S. is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.)
Recording artist Vanilla Ice will perform during halftime of the Timberwolves-Celtics game at Target Center on Friday night.
Ex-Gophers football player Lewis Garrison officiated the Division II men’s basketball championship game on Saturday between Western Washington and Montevallo.
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