FORT MYERS, Fla. -- With no reason to be distracted, Jason Kubel is off to a strong start this spring.
Minnesota's designated hitter had an RBI single in the first inning to spark the Twins to a 3-0 exhibition victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.
The 26-year-old Kubel, who agreed to a $7.2 million, two-year contract in January, is 3-for-7 with a home run, three RBI and three walks in four games this spring. He has yet to strike out.
Kubel said he's more comfortable now that he has some contract security and no longer has problems with his knees, which kept him out for all of 2005 and minimized his time in the majors while still affecting him in 2006.
"I feel better this year, just about everything," Kubel said. "I'm not worried about much. I know I'm going to be here this year and next year. That helps a lot. It takes a load off your shoulders, obviously. I'm more relaxed and having fun."
Kubel hit .272 with 20 home runs, second-most on the team, and 78 RBI in 141 games last year, his most productive major league season.
"It's early in spring training yet, but he's swinging very, very well," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Kubel's RBI single came off Aaron Harang, who pitched 3 1/3 innings while allowing two runs, six hits and a walk. Reds manager Dusty Baker was pleased.
"He looked good. He threw the ball well. He threw strikes," Baker said.
Twins starter Glen Perkins yielded only one hit in four strong innings. He struck out two and walked two.
Assured of a spot in the rotation, Perkins, too, has a more relaxed approach this spring.
"There's not as much pressure on each pitch," he said. "You can kind of build on each outing rather than try to impress everybody."
Notes
Twins RHP Nick Blackburn, on the mend from swelling in his left knee, a byproduct of offseason arthroscopic surgery, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday. He could be back in the rotation next week. ... Twins closer Joe Nathan is scheduled to throw Sunday in Fort Lauderdale against the Baltimore Orioles, having recovered from a sore right shoulder. ... Brendan Harris played SS for the Twins and went 2-for-3, having recovered from a pitch that hit him in the left side of his back.
