FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - While most of his Minnesota Twins teammates headed home for the day, right-hander Ricky Nolasco stayed at Hammond Stadium after Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals was rained out and threw a simulated game.
Working in the covered batting cages to a handful of extra players, Nolasco threw between 50-60 pitches under the close watch of Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson.
Using all of his pitches, Nolasco threw about 20 pitches at a time before taking two separate breaks to simulate an offensive inning.
Starting Time
Cardinals: Right-hander Adam Wainwright chose not to throw a simulated game after the rainout. He is slated to start today's game in Jupiter, Fla., against the Miami Marlins. Wainwright's pitch limit should be right around 40.
"At this point it really doesn't matter a whole lot," Wainwright said of the rainout. "I'll still be able to get some good work in and be ready."
Trainer's Room
Cardinals: Outfielder Oscar Taveras, Baseball America's No. 3 overall prospect, made the three-hour bus ride from Jupiter and tested his balky ankle in drills on a back field. Taveras, who has yet to play this spring, slid into bases and could see game action this weekend.
Twins: Outfielders Oswaldo Arcia (illness) and Aaron Hicks (right elbow irritation) were scratched from Thursday's original lineup. Arcia had the chills and a stomach virus that affected him overnight. Hicks, meanwhile, said he felt a "little discomfort" in the elbow/triceps area while taking extra swings in the batting cage Thursday morning.
Carpenter's Contract
Cardinals All-Star infielder Matt Carpenter is nearing agreement on a six-year contract in excess of $52 million, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Carpenter, 28, led the majors with 126 runs scored last season and led the National League with 199 hits. Without a new deal, Carpenter could be eligible for salary arbitration after the 2014 season.
The former 13th-round draft pick is making the full-time move to third base this season.