FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It's impossible to tell how much the impacts of the pandemic affected player performance in 2020, from the restrictive protocols at ballparks to the shutdown and quick ramp-up into the shortened regular season.

Newly acquired Twins reliever Hansel Robles says that his 10.26 ERA last season -- such a step back that the Angels non-tendered their onetime closer -- was a product of that uncertainty. He'll have a chance to start backing up that claim as part of a more normal Spring Training setting on Sunday, when he'll be part of the first group of Twins pitchers who will take the mound in Grapefruit League play.

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"I think I have more good performances than bad," Robles said. "I think being judged by a short season or in the middle of a pandemic can be a little harsh. But I take it, it's my job and I'll take full responsibility. But like I said before, I'm getting ready for this season. That's behind me and I do think I have a lot still in my tank, so I'm just getting ready for it."

Left-hander Devin Smeltzer is scheduled to start Sunday's opener against the Red Sox at 12:05 p.m. CT, followed by Robles, Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey, Cody Stashak and Ian Hamilton. It will mark Robles' Twins debut and his first chance to show his new club that he's closer to the former closer with the 3.91 career ERA in 313 games with the Mets and Angels.

"We don't want to put too much stock in what we saw in a pandemic-shortened season that didn't look anything like a normal season, both in preparation and once the year started," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "It was a very unusual year. I think we're going to rely more on what we think of our players than maybe exactly what we saw over a 60-game year."

It's as simple as that for Robles, really, who didn't have any specifics as to what else might have caused his struggles in 2020. He also attributes his lost fastball velocity to the stop-and-start aspect of last season and hopes that he'll show zip closer to the 97.2 mph he averaged in '19 than the 95.4 mph he averaged in '20.

Seeing as Baldelli and the Twins are already counting on Robles to be a part of their late-inning core and help make up for the losses of Trevor May, Tyler Clippard, Matt Wisler and Sergio Romo, it'll be an important Spring Training period for the 30-year-old Robles to show he can reclaim that old form.

"We still think there's more in there for him to unlock," Baldelli said. "We think he can be dominant. I think we're getting a chance to see that now. He's got a really unique pitch mix, delivery, and there's some things in there that are different that we think will allow him to separate himself from a normal good guy with a good arm that you would bring in. He's a little different in a good way."

Twins easing Gordon back into action

The quick rise of Luis Arraez and the acquisition of Andrelton Simmons has taken much of the spotlight away from Nick Gordon, the former first-round selection and No. 16 prospect in the organization, whose tough stretch of injury luck over the past three seasons culminated in losing the entire 2020 season to COVID-19 and the associated recovery.

Gordon is healthy and able to participate in baseball activity once again. But instead of pushing him into the roster conversation, the Twins' focus remains on making sure that the 25-year-old infielder is able to handle the rigor of the workout schedule as he continues to build his body up and ease into action.

"This is an important spring for Nick, and the focus for him at first needs to be settling in, getting his feet under him, and consistently taking it out there on the field and getting through long days, the heat," Baldelli said. "These are things he hasn’t done in a significant period of time. So one, getting out there, feeling good, getting strong, getting through the days is important."

A line-drive hitter and solid defender, Gordon might have played his way into the picture at second base or as a utility infielder over the past two years had it not been for persistent gastrointestinal issues, an adductor strain, a left leg contusion and, later, the COVID-19 diagnosis that wore him down and halted his progress.

Gordon last hit .298/.342/.459 with 14 steals and 29 doubles in 70 games at Triple-A Rochester in 2019. If his body responds well to increased action, he could compete with non-roster invitees Tzu-Wei Lin, JT Riddle and Andrew Romine as possible organizational depth in the infield.

Monday's pitchers set
Baldelli also announced Friday that Lewis Thorpe will start Monday's 12:05 p.m. CT contest against the Rays. The left-hander will be followed by Shaun Anderson, Juan Minaya, Luke Farrell and Griffin Jax.