debut alert

Batting second and playing shortstop … Brian Dozier. The former Southern Miss standout is, in fact, in the Minnesota lineup for tonight’s game, set to make his major league debut against Los Angels right-hander Jered Weaver at Target Field. Dozier is displacing veteran Jamey Carroll. “Hopefully, he can handle it, but there is pressure on him, just like any kid that comes up,” Twins acting manager Scott Ullger told mlb.com. He’s passed every test he’s faced so far. Dozier left USM as one of the school’s best-ever players, batting .355 for his career. Drafted in the eighth round by Minnesota in 2009, he has hit .300 for his minor league career. He showed some pop, too, in 2011 when he hit seven homers at Double-A New Britain. He played well in the Arizona Fall League and in big league camp this spring. A recent Baseball America scouting report said Dozier “does a lot of things well.” The Twins (7-20, worst record in MLB) need a lot of help, and maybe Dozier can provide some. It'll be fun to see.