More patient Arcia bumped up to No. 3 spot

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins rookie outfielder Oswaldo Arcia has been swinging a hot bat recently, and he was rewarded by being moved up to the No. 3 spot in the lineup against the Yankees on Thursday.

Ron Gardenhire wouldn't say that it'll be a permanent move to the three-hole for Arcia, but the Twins manager has liked what he's seen from the 22-year-old. Arcia entered Thursday hitting .289 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 51 games.

"I just went over it with my coaches, and without [Ryan] Doumit playing after catching nine innings last night, I just thought Arcia is a swinger," Gardenhire said. "He's not afraid to let it fly. He's not worried about where he's hitting."

Arcia said he's simply feeling more comfortable in his second go-round in the Majors, as he was first called up on April 15, then optioned to Triple-A Rochester on May 25 before being recalled again on June 11.

"I feel better being here the second time," Arcia said through translator and Twins bullpen coach Bobby Cuellar. "I went down to Rochester and tried to see more pitches. I was swinging early in counts when I was up here, so I really worked hard at seeing and taking more pitches."