FARGO – Even though Trevor May finished last year as a valuable member of the Minnesota Twins bullpen, the right-hander is preparing to be in a starting role for the upcoming season.
"As far as I know, I'm going into spring training as a starter," May said. "I'm going to compete for a starting spot."
May was part of the Twins winter caravan, which made a stop at the Fargo Air Museum on Tuesday. Right-handed pitcher Tyler Duffey, assistant general manager Rob Antony, radio broadcaster Cory Provus and former Twins great Tony Oliva joined May.
"I would definitely like to start," May said. "I think I have the skill set to be a starter."
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound May split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen last season. He appeared in 48 games for the Twins, including 16 starts. May finished with an 8-9 record with a 4.00 ERA.
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"I know (May) wants to start, and going into spring training, we told him to prepare to be a starter," Antony said. "Once we get into spring training ... then it's in the hands of (manager) Paul Molitor."
May had 2.87 ERA in 32 relief appearances last season. He pitched 31.1 innings out of the bullpen, striking out 37 batters while walking eight.
"I think that they have some confidence that I can do the bullpen job pretty well," May said. "The future could be bright with either (role)."
Duffey finished last season strong for the Twins, making his first start at the beginning of August. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-hander posted a 5-1 record with a 3.10 ERA in 10 starts.
"It's given me a lot of hope for the next season because I know what I can do and I know what I'm capable of," Duffey said. "It's definitely a quick learning curve and I've tried to keep up and stay ahead of that curve."
Duffey is looking forward to the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Twins starting rotation coming out of spring training, which starts next month. Right-handed pitchers Phil Hughes, Ervin Santana and Kyle Gibson are expected to hold down spots in the rotation. Left-hander Tommy Milone, right-hander Ricky Nolasco, May and Duffey are among the other pitchers expected to compete for the final spots in the starting rotation. The Twins haven't made a major pitching moves to this point in the offseason.
"I think they have a lot of faith in the abilities of the guys on this team," May said.
"The way that we have to go about it to succeed is to develop our own," Antony said.
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May hopes the Twins are on a similar path as the Kansas City Royals, the reigning World Series champions. The Royals have played in the World Series the past two seasons.
"I feel like we're one or two seasons maybe away as the same progression as the Royals," May said. "They had a bunch of young guys and they let them work through their woes and they've meshed as a team. ... I see a lot of similar things in us."
