FORT MYERS, Fla. -- For the first time this past fall, Craig Breslow didn't immediately begin prepping for the upcoming season when the last one ended.

The Twins reliever didn't tire himself over the winter months to arrive at Spring Training in peak form in order to just have a shot at making a team. And he didn't take time to brush up on his secondary career plans in case his baseball career came to an end.

That's because for the first time in his professional career, Breslow came into the spring with a relatively secure roster position.

After being shuffled around for most of his career -- spending time with the Brewers, Padres, Red Sox and Indians -- Breslow finally looks to have found a home with the Twins.

"It definitely has a different feel for me going into Spring Training feeling pretty comfortable and familiar with the organization, and also feeling pretty good about my chances of being on the team," Breslow said. "To be able to work on some things this spring as opposed to needing to be very result-oriented, that's a change. I think, as a result, I've actually ended up pitching better for that."

Breslow, 28, entered spring as the front-runner to be the left-handed specialist in the Twins' bullpen.

It is the role Dennys Reyes has filled for the club over the past three years. But the Twins felt comfortable enough in Breslow's abilities to let Reyes walk as a free agent this winter.

Picked up on waivers by Minnesota on May 29, Breslow posted a 1.63 ERA over 42 appearances for the Twins in 2008. He held opponents to a .180 batting average, and lefties hit even worse than that against him.

As a guy unknown to the Twins' coaching staff before he arrived in the clubhouse, Breslow was certainly a welcome addition to the relief corps.

"We didn't even know who Craig Breslow was when we got him," pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "He just came in, and each outing he got better and better, showing more confidence each time he threw. All he did was put up zeros and do the job night in and night out. He was a huge boost for us last year."

The expectation was that Breslow would play a key role against lefties out of the 'pen this season, and the struggles of Jose Mijares this spring have only intensified the need for Breslow to do just that.

So far this spring, Breslow has given the Twins reason to believe their confidence in him was well-placed. He has posted a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings this spring with 12 strikeouts.

"It's definitely nice to feel like I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder, where if I have a bad outing, I may get shipped out of here. It's just nice to have a little more comfort level."

-- Craig Breslow

"He's got to be the guy," Anderson said. "And that's what he's shown us this spring. He comes in and gets them out. He's showing better command of his pitches right now, and that's a good thing for us."

Breslow said that knowing his role on the team has allowed him to spend more time working on his pitches.

In addition to focusing on his fastball command, Breslow has also been working with Anderson to add a sinker to his mix of pitches -- which already includes a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup.

There is a chance that Breslow could be the only lefty in the bullpen when the Twins break camp, although manager Ron Gardenhire acknowledged that he would prefer to have two. Mijares' troubles have made him a long shot to break camp with the team, so Minnesota continues to look at left-hander Brian Duensing as another option.

For Breslow, it's a little strange to be on the side of the equation where his spot appears secure. But he doesn't expect that to change anything in terms of his performance. Much like his training program this winter -- during which he said he didn't work any less -- Breslow has just learned to use a more efficient process.

"I guess through my career I've relished an underdog role," Breslow said. "But I don't have a fear of growing complacent. I'll always look to improve in any way I can and make adjustments. But it's definitely nice to feel like I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder, where if I have a bad outing, I may get shipped out of here. It's just nice to have a little more comfort level."

Breslow's increased role with the Twins has also meant positive things this offseason for another one of his passions -- his charitable efforts.

Last year, Breslow started the Strike 3 Foundation to help raise funds for childhood cancer research. His sister, Lesley, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1991. She has been in remission since beating the disease a few months after her diagnosis, but her ordeal created a life-long desire by Breslow to pursue medicine.

Breslow holds a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University, but he put his medical pursuit on hold when he was drafted by the Brewers in 2002. The foundation now allows him to still be involved with the cause, and he admits that his success this past season has helped it get more public recognition.

"The more success I have on the field and the more recognizable I become, absolutely it has helped the charity," Breslow said. "It helps when I'm calling a company or calling a potential donor, and saying this is Craig himself, and they are like, 'Oh, I've watched you pitch.'"

Breslow maintains a desire to get involved in the medical research himself, and he says he still intends to use his degree to do that -- someday.

"I still may end up in medical school sooner than I hope," Breslow said. "But baseball is going well enough right now that I'm fully committed to it."