Big Twins roster question answered as Roden optioned to Triple-A

FORT MYERS, Fla. – It’s the time in Spring Training when there’s news just about every day, with transactions and other developments coming in drips and drabs as a roster takes shape. Here are three things you should know from Sunday in Twins camp.

Outfielder Alan Roden has been optioned, clearing the way for James Outman

The biggest news of the day is that Roden was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul after the Twins' 7-3 win over the Braves. Roden had a very strong camp and made a good impression as he vied for the starting left-field job, but in the end the realities of roster construction bit him.

In short, Roden has Minor League options and Outman doesn’t, so Roden will begin the season in the Minors. As a result, Outman has a clear path to make the Opening Day roster, where he will serve as both a starting corner outfielder against right-handed pitchers and a backup to Byron Buxton in center.

Outman has flashed some promise this spring, with two homers, six walks and seven stolen bases, and he has an exemplary defensive reputation. He’ll most likely split time in left with Austin Martin, who can also play some center as well as second base. There’s also good news with Martin, by the way, who came through his first game well after missing time due to a concussion. He should be fine going forward.

This was the biggest remaining position-player question in camp, and while it’s still possible Minnesota could make a move with Outman, for now he appears set to have a significant role at the start of the year.

Kody Funderburk is on the team

Some of the Twins’ bullpen remains unsettled, especially on the right side, but it seems the left side is now set. Taylor Rogers and Anthony Banda were assumed to be in, whereas it seemed that Funderburk needed to claim a spot.

It turns out that conventional wisdom was incorrect. Funderburk, who pitched very well after the Trade Deadline last year, has been safe all along – even when the Twins had four lefties in camp. He’ll be part of the season-opening ‘pen, one of three lefties in an eight-man group.

“Fundy’s on the team,” manager Derek Shelton said. “From the jump, Fundy was on the team. I think what he did last year, the body of work, I told him that the first day of camp. ‘You’re going to be on the team.’”

On the right side, Cole Sands, Justin Topa and Eric Orze appear to be set, leaving two openings.

Matt Bowman has triggered the out clause in his contract, giving the Twins until Tuesday to notify him that he will or will not make the team. If they are not adding him, then he will be granted his release. Bowman does not appear to be one of the favorites for those two spots, leaving three primary candidates: Zak Kent, Dan Altavilla and Cody Laweryson.

Byron Buxton in the two-spot

Shelton rolled out an interesting lineup on Sunday, one that could look a lot like the one he fields on Opening Day – with the exception that Brooks Lee will likely start at shortstop. And it included Buxton not in the leadoff spot, where he hit much of last year, but hitting second.

That was not a coincidence. Shelton is enamored with the idea of Buxton hitting second, allowing him to have an impact early in the game but also increasing the chances of him hitting with runners on. Luke Keaschall led off on Sunday, and that is one option for the No. 1 spot, but it’s not locked in.

“I like Buck [hitting second],” Shelton said. “I don’t know where Keasch is going to hit yet. I like Keaschall a lot though, I just haven’t decided where he’s actually going to be.

“I think the one thing about it is we’re going to try to create as many runs as possible. At times when [Buxton] hits leadoff … he hit 35 homers last year with 83 RBIs. So I think if we can try to create more RBI, run scoring opportunities for our offense, I think that’s important.”