Adrianza likely to open season on disabled list

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Much like Kennys Vargas' foot injury is likely to keep him off the Opening Day roster, Twins infielder Ehire Adrianza's roster chances appear slim after suffering an oblique strain Saturday night on a swing against the Orioles.
Adrianza, who is out of Minor League options and was competing with players such as Eduardo Escobar and Danny Santana for a bench spot, is more likely to open the year on the 10-day disabled list than on the Opening Day roster.
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"Just watching the way it unfolded makes you think it's fairly acute," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He's not feeling very well right now. So we'll see where it takes us. It's tough to see late in camp."

Adrianza, known for his defense up the middle in parts of four seasons with the Giants before being claimed off waivers this offseason, was coming on strong late in camp, hitting .303/.395/.455 with a homer and seven RBIs. Molitor was asked about Adrianza's chances of making the roster over Escobar and Santana, but wouldn't divulge how close he was to coming north with the team.
"You'll never know," Molitor said. "I've been watching him. He brings a little bit of experience. He's very versatile. The label of 'good defender' played out. He seemed to have better at-bats as the camp went on. We were looking at different combinations, but he was still here and still playing."
With Adrianza out, Escobar is expected to be the club's primary backup infielder, while Santana is likely to be the club's super-utility player, seeing action in both the outfield and infield.