Twins' Brandon Kintzler: Expected to begin season as closer

Kintzler will begin the season as Minnesota's closer with no timetable for Glen Perkins' return from a shoulder injury, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis:

This isn't a surprise as Perkins was never expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. But with reports that Perkins may be placed on the 60-day DL to begin the season, it looks like Kintzler may have more leeway to hold onto the job with a return from Perkins nowhere in sight. However, Kintzler's lack of strikeouts (5.9 K/9 last season) may be a bigger worry for his ability to keep the role.