Decision looming for Twins on Kubel

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins have until Tuesday to decide whether to add Jason Kubel to the 25-man roster or offer him a $100,000 retention bonus, but the club is expected to announce Kubel will make the team.

Kubel, 31, has been swinging the bat better of late, going 5-for-8 over his last three games, entering Monday's game against the Rays, which was cancelled due to rain. Kubel is expected to be a regular at designated hitter, and said he also expects to see time in the outfield, although he's played just two games in the outfield this spring.

"I feel good," Kubel said. "I'm right where I want to be going into the last week of the season."

The Twins had a similar decision to make with reliever Matt Guerrier but Guerrier was granted his unconditional release on Monday after being told he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster. It allows Guerrier a chance to latch on with another club on a Major League deal, but Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said the club remains open to re-signing Guerrier on a Minor League deal if he decides to return.

Infielder Jason Bartlett isn't owed a $100,000 retention bonus, because he was out of baseball last year, but he had an out-clause for Monday in his contract that was pushed back to the end of the week, according to Antony.

Bartlett remains in the mix for a spot on the roster as a backup infielder, but Eduardo Escobar is considered the favorite for that spot, considering he's had a better spring and is out of Minor League options.