Twins' Matt Wallner: Begins season in leadoff spot

Wallner started in right field and batted leadoff in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.

Wallner usage in the leadoff spot against right-handed starters in spring training carried over into the regular season. He had a chance to tie the game with a runner on in the top of the ninth inning but struck out. Wallner will likely sit against most left-handed pitchers -- he had a .275/.387/.566 slash line against righties last year over 217 plate appearances, but just a .184/.295/.316 line in 44 PAs against southpaws.