Morgan augments Twins' staff, diversity

MILWAUKEE -- Kevin Morgan's playing career in the Major Leagues lasted one plate appearance. Two decades later, his return to the big league dugout should result in a longer stay.

The Twins named Morgan to manager Rocco Baldelli's coaching staff on Wednesday as Major League field coordinator, where he will help to fill the gaps left on the coaching staff by the untimely death of bench coach Mike Bell from cancer last Friday.

"I’m honored that the organization had the confidence in me to allow me this opportunity, and I’m really humbled by it," Morgan said. "I've been here the last couple of years, and it’s been a blessing to be a part of the organization."

Morgan is a 30-year veteran of professional baseball, including a brief playing career from 1991-97 and a decorated career in the Mets' front office from 1998-2019. In that time, he served as the Mets' assistant director of Minor League operations (1998-2000), director of Minor League operations (2001-05), infield coordinator (2006-15) and Minor League field coordinator (2016-19).

He joined the Twins' organization prior to the 2020 season as Minor League field coordinator, where he ensured continuity of instruction and philosophy between the Major Leagues and Minor Leagues. He spent Summer Camp last season at Target Field with the Twins' Major League coaching staff and has been with the club throughout Spring Training.

Morgan has been doing things on the Minor League side for so long, he said, that it was actually a difficult decision for him to step away from his previous role.

In his new position on Baldelli's staff, he said he'll be looking to "fill in any gaps" and to help out however he could, with several coaches expected to combine to fill Bell's former duties. In the meantime, Morgan hopes to continue serving as a sounding board at the Majors-Minors interface that has occupied his life for so long.

"I kind of pride myself on being a team player and doing whatever is asked of me," Morgan said. "While it was certainly an honor to be even considered to fill in the gap, I was also thinking about what I may be leaving behind. And part of what we have talked about is just continuing to create a continuity between Majors and Minors, and so I do feel like I can continue to have conversations."

The addition of Morgan to the Twins' coaching ranks continues to make Baldelli's staff an increasingly-diverse group to match the changing game. Minnesota's coaching staff already included Dominican third-base coach Tony Diaz, Venezuelan hitting coach Rudy Hernandez, Mexican-American hitting coach Edgar Varela and, now, two Black coaches in first-base coach Tommy Watkins and Morgan.

Donaldson still unsure of playing time
Josh Donaldson made it through Spring Training with his calves healthy, and the Twins have spoken throughout the offseason and camp about the likelihood that his playing time will be limited, to some extent, to help him make it through a full season. But what does that actually mean in terms of how many games Donaldson will play?

As it turns out, Donaldson isn't quite sure of that himself.

"From talking to Rocco -- and we talked yesterday or the day before -- I had the same kind of question that you did," Donaldson said.

The former MVP third baseman said that he'll likely spend the first month of the season feeling out what exactly his new regimen will entail, in terms of how often he'll play back-to-back games and what travel and days off will mean for his recovery -- as he said, the little stuff that used to not matter as much to him, but will have far more of an impact on his usage this year.

Donaldson was held to 28 games last season, due to recurring issues with his right calf, and the Twins have maintained that their goal is to do whatever it takes to have their third baseman healthy in September and October. They also have Luis Arraez and Miguel Sanó available to fill in at third base if needed -- and Arraez in particular will need consistent opportunities for at-bats.

"I still want to play as often as possible, but we’re going to be in conversation with that throughout the end of the year," Donaldson said. "I think what’s going to determine if it’s successful or not is how long I’m able to -- or the entirety of the season -- if I’m able to make it through relatively unscathed, then I think that’s success."

Maeda gears up at plate
Kenta Maeda has eagerly awaited his opportunity to hit once again in a National League park, and he unleashed some of that energy with several batting practice homers -- including a pair to the left-field home run porch -- in his lone session at the plate during Wednesday's workout.

He claimed not to have gone yard during his Spring Training sessions -- and if so, his power might be showing up at the right time.

"Zero homers [in spring]," he said. "But I’m 3-for-5. But I only faced lefties."