TORONTO (AP) — Newly signed slugger Kendrys Morales is set to make his debut for the Minnesota Twins.

Morales was in the starting lineup Monday night against Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Morales was batting sixth as the designated hitter.

Morales signed a one-year, prorated contract Sunday. He hit .277 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs with Seattle last season, and had been working out in Miami while waiting to join a team.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Morales sent him a message through a coach after the team arrived in Toronto on Sunday night saying he wanted to play.

“He’s been swinging, he’s been facing pitchers down there, so it’s not like it’s just cold turkey,” Gardenhire said. “He’s not coming out of a hospital bed.”

In 620 career games, the first baseman/DH has 102 home runs and 345 RBIs.

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