Worth noting

• Gardenhire was pleased with Danny Santana's first Major League start, Tuesday against the Tribe.

Playing at shortstop, Santana threw out Nyjer Morgan to record the game's first out, and in the third, he turned an inning-ending double play.

"He made a great play to start off with," Gardenhire said. "As we see, he's got a cannon, can throw the baseball, but we've known those things. Santana's a nice-looking young player."

• With Mauer out of the lineup this week, Gardenhire has turned to Sam Fuld to hit out of the two-hole.

Fuld's results have been somewhat mixed, but he had two hits and a stolen base in Monday's win.

"I don't think he's the prototype, but he's fast," Gardenhire said. "He can hook a ball. If [leadoff man Brian] Dozier gets on, with a man on on first, he can hook a ball through a hole. We've seen him do that.

Were it not Fuld, Gardenhire said he'd have moved Kurt Suzuki out of the heart of the order, something he hopes to avoid.

"Right now, I see Suzuki down there coming up in a lot of good spots to hit and drive in runs, so why mess with that," Gardenhire said. "He'd be my next option."

• Mike Pelfrey, who missed his start Tuesday after suffering a strained groin, will throw another bullpen session Thursday, and he continues to show progress.

• Aaron Hicks, who can return from the seven-day concussion disabled list Friday, swung at live pitching Wednesday and had a good lower-body workout.

• Josh Willingham, on the disabled list with an injured left wrist, felt good Wednesday after taking 20 swings and doing 20 flip drills.