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Target Field’s opener set

The Twins’ Target Field will tentatively open April 12. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
The Twins’ Target Field will tentatively open April 12. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Target Field has a target date.

Outdoor baseball is tentatively set to return to Minneapolis on April 12 when the Minnesota Twins play their 2010 home opener against the Boston Red Sox.

The date was contained in a draft schedule for next season that recently was sent to teams and revealed Friday to the Associated Press. It was provided by a baseball official on condition of anonymity because Major League Baseball’s central office asked that the schedule not be made public before it is finalized later this year.

Minnesota is tentatively set to open the season on April 5 at the Los Angeles Angels.

This is the 28th and final season for the Twins at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Barring postseason play, the Twins play their final game there Oct. 4 against Kansas City.

Target Field is estimated to cost $535 million.

Ryan not worried

Texas team president Nolan Ryan said that the club is not hamstrung by owner Tom Hicks’ financial difficulties, a day after a report that Major League Baseball loaned millions to the team owner.

“There haven’t been any restrictions put on us,” Ryan said.

“I just think as we get closer to the trade deadline, we’ll see what we might be able to put together. If we think it is in our best interest, then obviously we’ll take it to Tom.”

Hicks said in May he was willing to sell controlling interest in the franchise.

Matsuzaka rehabs

Boston right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will head to Florida on Monday to begin a spring training-like strengthening program that the Red Sox hope will get him back to the big leagues later this season.

Matsuzaka was 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA and an opponents’ batting average of .378 before going on the disabled list June 21 with a shoulder strain.

Doumit eyes return

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit (Moses Lake) caught five innings of a Gulf Coast League game in Dunedin, Fla., the first time he has played since breaking his right wrist April 19. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Doumit is not expected back until after the All-Star game.