FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins' four-man contingent from Team Puerto Rico returned to camp on Friday after coming up short in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against Team USA on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Kennys Vargas returned to the lineup as designated hitter and Eddie Rosario started in left field against the Orioles, while left-hander Hector Santiago will start against Baltimore on Saturday night in Sarasota. The Twins are still deciding on a plan for right-hander Jose Berrios, who threw 40 pitches on Wednesday and might not be stretched out enough to make Minnesota's rotation when camp ends.
"We have ideas," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He got in here kind of late, and we barely had a chance to say hello. We're working on it. We should have more of an idea tomorrow."
Berrios, though, said he believes he has time to get stretched out, as he threw 62 pitches in his first outing in a start against Team Italy on March 12. He threw two bullpen sessions and a 50-pitch live session before his 40-pitch outing against Team USA.
"That's why I'm here," Berrios said. "I'm going to keep competing and do my job. I'll see what they do."
Berrios said he believed the experience was worth it, even if it might mean opening the year at Triple-A Rochester. His main competition for the fifth-starter job remains Adalberto Mejia and Tyler Duffey, and they're both scheduled to pitch in Minor League games against the Red Sox on Saturday.
"I accept that because I wanted to play in the WBC," Berrios said. "I'm OK with whatever decision they make. I prepared myself to be ready for Opening Day."
Santiago, meanwhile, threw 63 pitches in relief against the Netherlands on Monday, and said he's scheduled to throw 75 pitches on Saturday. Santiago, a lock for the rotation, said there shouldn't be any issues getting stretched out and that he loved the experience.
"It was amazing," Santiago said. "It was exciting. It was unbelievable. In the final game, there were 51,000 and it felt like 200,000. A base hit was like the sound of a grand slam. It was just awesome."
Rosario, Minnesota's starting left fielder, saw plenty of action in the Classic, batting .316/.375/.526 in six games. But Vargas, competing with ByungHo Park for the everyday designated-hitter role, received only nine at-bats, collecting two hits, including a homer.
Molitor said there is still time for Vargas to win the job, as Park would have to be added to 40-man roster, but it's clear Vargas is no longer the front-runner, especially with Park's strong spring.
"I don't know if 'disappointed' is the right word," Molitor said. "But it concerns me some he hasn't seen a lot of live pitching or had game situations."