After working this spring to make his comeback in the Major Leagues, former Twins third baseman Corey Koskie announced Saturday morning that he was retiring from baseball.
Koskie, who was out of baseball for the last 2 1/2 years due to post-concussion syndrome, had signed a Minor League contract with the Cubs and played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Koskie felt he proved he can still play in the league, but he didn’t want to risk another injury and wanted to spend more time with his family, including his three young sons, ages 8, 6, and 3.
“I just decided that it’s not worth it,” Koskie said on a conference call with the Minnesota media. “It would be a tough day for me if I ended up getting another concussion and had to quit because of that. But I just decided the risk/reward is not worth it.”
David Winfree, who is suffering from the same flu as Justin Morneau, made the trip to Clearwater on Saturday. Manager Ron Gardenhire hadn’t gotten an update on how Morneau was feeling, but he expected the first baseman to go to the ballpark on Saturday and complete a light workout.
Phillies starter Chan Ho Park was scratched and right-hander Kyle Kendrick will start in his place. And yes the pitchers are batting in the National League park today so R.A. Dickey, Jesse Crain and Craig Breslow will be among those getting their swings in during the contest.
Here are the lineups
Twins
Denard Span, LF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Brian Buscher, 1B
Luke Hughes, 3B
Carlos Gomez, CF
Jose Morales, C
Brendan Harris, SS
R.A. Dickey, P
Phillies
Miguel Cairo, SS
Geoff Jenkins, RF
Chase Utley, 2B
Ryan Howard, 1B
John Mayberry J., CF
Matt Stairs, LF
Pedro Feliz, 3B
Chris Coste, C
Kyle Kendrick, P
