But manager Ron Gardenhire seemed just as excited Thursday to talk about the additions that he feels he might have on his bench for 2008.

One thing that has been lacking for the Twins over the past few seasons is a big bat to come off the bench in the late innings.

In 2006 and 2007, the team's main pinch-hitter was backup infielder Luis Rodriguez -- who recorded a total of six career homers in three seasons with the club.

"He was a good hitter and put the ball in play," Gardenhire said. "But you want to walk up there and think that you'll have a chance to go [deep], and that wasn't there very often. It just wasn't there."

The skipper is excited about the possibility that might change in 2008.

With Jason Kubel and Craig Monroe expected to platoon in the DH spot, at least one of them likely will be sitting on the bench each day. And Gardenhire said that even if chooses to use both Kubel and Monroe in the lineup -- sticking one of them in the outfield -- it would leave another outfielder on the bench. That would likely mean one of his regular corner outfielders -- Michael Cuddyer or Delmon Young -- would be available to pinch-hit.

"With one of those guys on the bench, you're going to have a pretty good hitter there," Gardenhire said. "So I think we'll have a few more chances to put the ball in the seats with one big swing."

But it's not just the power options Gardenhire expects might improve his bench. He's also intrigued by the multitude of infielders he has in camp competing for a utility role -- guys who possess speed and an ability to hit.

"We're going to have a little bit of a stronger bench and a little more versatility," Gardenhire said. "That's one of our goals this year."

Up, up and away: Gardenhire was generally pleased with the performance of his pitching staff in its first Spring Training contest against the Reds.

But there were a few exceptions. Left-hander Glen Perkins had a rough time in his one inning of work. Perkins gave up three runs on four hits, including a three-run homer by Jerry Gil.

"He was up, up, up with everything," Gardenhire said. "You saw the results. That was pretty much a wind-blown home run, but he still had too many balls up."

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Ricky Barrett had similar problems keeping the ball down in the zone. He gave up three runs, two earned, on two hits to help make it a 6-1 loss for the Twins.

Set on two: With the Twins set to break camp this spring carrying a staff of 12 pitchers, the number of bench spots available is already limited.

That's why Gardenhire said Thursday that the tentative plan is to have just two catchers -- Joe Mauer and Mike Redmond -- on their 25-man roster.

While the team kept three catchers out of spring last season concerns with Mauer, Gardenhire said he wouldn't necessarily feel that need this year.

One reason is the club has a new option in an emergency catcher -- Mike Lamb.

In '07, the Twins had Rodriguez as an emergency backstop, but the infielder's catching experience was limited to just bullpen sessions. Gardenhire said Lamb, the Twins' new third baseman, spent some at the position in college and he would be comfortable using him in that role if necessary.

Tried and true: Catcher Jose Morales' attempted slide into home plate during the sixth inning of Thursday's contest seemed a tad unnecessary since he was out by more than a few feet.

But the decision to slide was a big one for Morales.

The slide was Morales' first in a game since he severely sprained his left ankle while making an awkward slide in Chicago last September. Morales has been dealing with the effects of the injury all spring, so he admitted he was a bit apprehensive about having to slide.

"I was thinking about it, for sure," Morales said.

Despite the slide being unsuccessful, Morales said he was able to complete it without any pain. And more than anything else about the play, Morales said he was able to feel a sense of relief that one test had been completed.

"I'm just glad I got the first one over with," he said.

Twins tidbits: Mauer will not play in Friday night's Spring Training home opener as expected. Gardenhire said the decision was made to start Redmond on Friday night and Mauer will get the day in Saturday's day game vs. the Red Sox. ... Casey Daigle's wife, Team USA softball pitcher Jennie Finch, was in the stands Thursday with their 20-month-old son Ace, to watch Daigle pitch.

Up next: Twins right-hander Boof Bonser will show off his much trimmer physique when he faces the Red Sox in the Twins Spring Training home opener on Friday night. Bonser will be making his first start of the spring against Boston right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka. Joe Nathan, Brian Bass, Kevin Slowey, Phil Humber and Zach Day are also scheduled to take the mound for the Twins. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT.