Twins' Glen Perkins: Not worried about lower velocity

Despite a 2.35 ERA this spring, Perkins has had lower velocity. He threw 91 to 93 mph while throwing a scoreless inning in Wednesday's spring training game, the Minneapolis Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal reports. He averaged 93.7 mph on fastballs last season. "I will be right where I need to be once the season starts and as we get going," he said.

Perkins' lower velocity could just be a case of a veteran tinkering with his pitches or ramping up slowly, but it's not a reassuring sign after he's broken down in the second half the past two seasons. Perkins is set in the closer role with Kevin Jepsen as his primary setup man.