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MINNEAPOLIS - Trevor Plouffe is coming off of a season in which he led the Minnesota Twins in RBIs and signed a $4.8 million, one-year contract that made him the highest-paid third baseman in franchise history.Put those two things together and the 28-year-old Plouffe would appear to be on firm footing heading into his sixth season in the big leagues. But with star prospect Miguel Sano recovered from an elbow injury that cost him most of last season, the future is anything but certain for Plouffe.Im in it to win, man. I want to win the AL Central, Plouffe said as the Twins opened their annual fan festival.Thats our goal every year is to get to the playoffs, so thats all that matters to me. I know if I work hard and help the team thats all that really matters.If he isnt answering questions about Sano directly, its hard to blame him. The power-hitting Dominican was tearing up the minor leagues before needing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last season, and it is considered only a matter of time before he is swinging for the fences at Target Field.In the interim, Plouffe is doing all he can to make a name for himself. He was a first-round draft pick in 2004, an athletic shortstop with some pop in his bat who was once viewed as a future star in the organization.But Plouffe struggled defensively at one of the games most demanding positions and occasionally frustrated then-manager Ron Gardenhire and the front office with his erratic focus.Over the past three seasons, hes started to show signs of what the Twins once saw in him. He hit 24 home runs in 2012 and 14 in 2013 before hitting another 14 and driving in 80 runs last season. And after a rough start defensively while he made the transition to third base, Plouffe has impressed those in charge with the work he has put in to improve in that area over the last two seasons.Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, who served on Gardenhires staff last season before GM Terry Ryan hired him to take over as manager, was familiar with Plouffes reputation as a player who was just happy to be in the big leagues and not all that interested in putting the work in to take his game to another level. But he said he saw a change last season, the fourth straight that the Twins have lost at least 90 games.I was pleased with how he played last year, Molitor said. I think through a lot of hard work he developed a lot of confidence.Plouffe has fully recovered from a broken right arm late last September. His wife is expecting the couples first child in July, which Plouffe said has also given him a new perspective on his job.Ive put the work in, Ive had great coaches surrounding me, Plouffe said. I think Ive improved defensively, I think offensively I did as well, but theres always things to work on.Im not resting on any part of my game, so Ive been working a lot this off-season and Im going down to spring training a couple weeks early and Im going to get a lot of work in there. So theres just nothing for me to rest on. Im going to continue to work on all facets of the game, he said.As for Sano, the Twins arent counting on anything just yet. He still has to show that he is fully recovered from his elbow surgery, and likely will need some time in the minor leagues to get his timing back at the plate before the Twins will bring him up for the first time.So the job is Plouffes to lose. For now, at least.Trevor Plouffes the guy that done the job at the major league level, Ryan said. So Sanos going to have to come in and push him, thats all.___AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this story. Doug Williams Redskins Jersey . The injury will keep the Finnish forward out of the Olympics. The 29-year-old has 20 goals and 41 points in 56 games this season, his first with Tampa Bay. DaRon Payne Redskins Jersey . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. http://www.redskinsfansproshop.com/Redskins+John+Riggins+Rush+Jersey.html?cat=1290 . "If we could score a six in every game, obviously I would be pretty excited," Jones said. "Its a long week but a short week. Its a pretty short round robin from what were used to so you dont want to get behind the eight ball early. Charley Taylor Redskins Jersey . You can see all the action on TSN2 beginning at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Chicago won two of three games during its stay at the United Center. The club began the homestand with a 5-1 win over Pittsburgh on March 1 and fell to Colorado on Tuesday before posting another blowout win in Thursdays tilt against Columbus. Case Keenum Redskins Jersey . - Chris Davis hit a two-run double, scoring Nelson Cruz in his Orioles debut in Baltimores 9-7 win over to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. SEATTLE -- On a night when starter Jered Weaver struggled at times, the Los Angeles Angels were more concerned about a reliever who only faced one batter. Weaver gave up three runs over six innings to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. It was Weavers fifth win in six starts, although the first time in eight outings he allowed more than two runs. The bigger moment of concern came when Weaver left the game. Reliever Sean Burnett, who had come off the disabled list on Friday after recovering from elbow surgery last August, left the game after getting Michael Saunders to pop out leading off the seventh inning. "He just felt something in his elbow," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We dont know exactly what, hell be going back down to Southern California (Wednesday) to be evaluated. It looks like disabled list, but well see whats going on." This was Burnetts third appearance since returning, all of them lasting just one batter. Friday marked the first time he had pitched in the major leagues since May 26, 2013. After the game Burnett managed to answer just one question before breaking down and saying he couldnt continue. "Its just a lot of frustration right now. Im trying to stay positive and well see what the doctors say tomorrow," he said. Burnetts injury marred Los Angeles second win in seven tries against the Mariners this season. C.J. Cron led the Angels with a solo home run and run-scoring double, one of four doubles Los Angeles hit in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. Cron led off the seventh inning with his third homer since making his major league debut on May 3. Weaver (6-3) said he felt the day would be a struggle from the time he started warming up before the game and didnt have the command hes been used to in recent starts. "I felt all right for the most part, but I didnt feel as crisp as I had the previous starts," he said. "Its one of those games where you had to battle, and these guys put up three early runs and helped me out a little bit early, and we were able to tack on some late." After the offence gave Weaver thee three-run lead in the top of the second, Seattle answered in the bottom of the inning when Dustin Ackley doubled and scored on Nick Franklins single.ddddddddddddHowever, even as Weaver struggled, the Mariners were unable to really take advantage. "This guy is a proven winner. He knows what hes doing out there and is pretty crafty," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We battled all night with him." The Angels loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth but only managed one run with Grant Green scoring as Howie Kendrick grounded into a double play. The Mariners also loaded the bases for a run in the bottom of the fourth. Justin Smoak led off the inning with his seventh home run before the Mariners loaded the bases with two outs. Weavers first pitch to James Jones sailed over the head of catcher Chris Iannetta and Ackley scored from third on the wild pitch to cut Los Angeles lead to 4-3. The Angels added another run in the seventh on Mike Trouts sacrifice fly. Roenis Elias (3-4) allowed five runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings. The five earned runs were the most the Mariners rookie has allowed in his 11 career starts. "I just went out and did everything I normally do and it didnt work out today," Elias said through a translator. Ernesto Frieri pitched the ninth for his seventh save, but the Mariners made it interesting. Robinson Cano hit a two-out run scoring single, and Smoak walked before Kyle Seager ended the game with a deep fly to left-centre field. NOTES: Before the game Scioscia said LHP Wade LeBlanc would start Thursdays series finale, but after the game Scioscia said Burnetts injury may change those plans. "Well evaluate some things tonight and see which way it will go," he said. ... Cano was the DH Tuesday after getting spiked on a play Monday. ... Seattle LHP James Paxton, on the DL since April 9, had an MRI on Tuesday that revealed inflammation in his left shoulder. Paxton had a rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday but will be shut down until the inflammation subsides, which the club estimated would be five to seven days. ' ' '