About Freakin' Time

Bartlett's back; Batista's out

The Twins gave their roster a jolt late Tuesday night, designating third baseman Tony Batista for assignment and promoting Jason Bartlett from Class AAA Rochester.

Bartlett will join the team tonight and replace Juan Castro as the team's starting shortstop.

Buh-bye, Tony. You tried really hard for us, we know you did, but sometimes these things just don't work out. Best of luck. You're leaving third base in the capable hands of Luis Rodriguez. And Nick Punto. And Terry Tiffee. And Juan Castro. (Hmm...a four-way platoon. Yeah, that's gonna last.)

Bartlett went 1-for-4 Tuesday against Indianapolis, leaving his average at .306. He leads the International League with 23 doubles.

Castro is batting .231 with a .258 on-base percentage.

"We need to change it up a little bit," Gardenhire said. "Bartlett's been playing his tail off. We called down there today again, and he's doing everything you can possibly do, running all over the place, taking charge of the infield and doing what it takes to be a big-league shortstop.

"So that's what we're hoping for."

I'm still trying to figure out where this perception that he wasn't playing his tail off before came from. 'Cause I just never saw it. Saw some mistakes, sure. But lack of effort? Nah. Oh, well--as long as he's really out of the doghouse, now, we can just let sleeping dogs lie.

Bartlett received word after the Red Wings suffered a 2-0 loss to Indianapolis.

"I knew something was going to happen sometime soon," Bartlett told the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle. "It's a little bit of a shock, but I've kind of been waiting for it."

During spring training, Bartlett was considered the favorite to win the Twins' starting shortstop job. But just before camp ended, Gardenhire picked Castro as his starter, sending Bartlett to Rochester with instructions to be more of a vocal leader.

"I've been more vocal than I've been," Bartlett said. "They wanted me to be [more vocal], and I started doing it."

Okay, yes, sleeping dogs, etcetera. Can I just say one thing? He could have learned to be "vocal" HERE. There, I'm done. 'Nuff said.

Welcome back, Bartlett. Good to see ya.