Twins send Garza to Triple-A, Silva wins spot

The Minnesota Twins gave Carlos Silva a spot in their rotation Wednesday and sent Matt Garza to Triple-A Rochester, leaving the promising right-hander unhappy and out of the big leagues for at least the start of the season. Garza, the team's first-round draft pick in 2005, appeared upset upon arriving in a golf cart at the minor league complex with his equipment. He declined to comment.

Bothered by a sore neck early in camp, Garza gave up two earned runs in 12 innings this spring with nine hits, five walks and seven strikeouts. The 23-year-old became the first Twins player in nine years to advance from Class A to the majors in the same season, going 3-6 with a 5.76 ERA in nine starts for Minnesota down the stretch.

Silva, a right-hander who struggled mightily last year and brought an 11.02 ERA into Wednesday night's exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox, will start the season in the rotation with Johan Santana, Ramon Ortiz, Boof Bonser and Sidney Ponson.
Source: AP