Fuld resumes action in return to Tropicana

ST. PETERSBURG -- Sam Fuld on Wednesday night against the Rays made his first start in center field for the Twins since he was claimed on waivers from the A's on Sunday. He ended up going 2-for-5 with an RBI single in a 6-4 win for the Twins in 12 innings.

It gave Fuld his first start since April 11, as he was in limbo for 10 days after being designated for assignment by Oakland on April 12. Fuld said he worked out on his own, including at his alma mater, Stanford, to stay in baseball shape after he was designated.

Wednesday night's start was also Fuld's first as an opponent at Tropicana Field after playing for the Rays from 2011-13.

"It's a little bit different because of the nerves that come with not playing for the last couple weeks," Fuld said before the game. "It's also that and you want to impress everybody. But it's just one game. I'm just more excited than anything to get back on the field."

Shortstop Eduardo Escobar also got the start at shortstop over Pedro Florimon while Chris Herrmann started in right field, with Chris Colabello getting the nod at designated hitter.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said it was important to mix up the lineup on Wednesday, including giving Fuld his first start with his new team.

"He's familiar with this ballpark, obviously," Gardenhire said. "He's sat out enough. So we wanted to get him in there and run around. Same with Escobar and Herrmann. Everybody has to play."