FORT MYERS, Fla.— Bernie Williams is back in the batter's box.

The former New York Yankees center fielder went 1-for-2 with a walk Tuesday for Puerto Rico in a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins in a warmup for the World Baseball Classic.

After two years out of baseball spent making jazz music, hanging out on the beach and enjoying time with family, Williams is playing for his native country in the WBC and is pondering a return to the majors depending on how he performs in the tournament, which begins March 5.

The 40-year-old Williams served as the designated hitter for Puerto Rico and didn't show much rust.

"I think if he wanted to come back to baseball that he could probably find a job," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Williams worked out with his old team in Tampa the last two weeks, trying to regain the timing that fueled his .297 career average and five All-Star games over 16 seasons.

"I'm keeping my mind open to every possibility," Williams said. "Playing in the World Baseball Classic should give me a better understanding of whether or not I could handle a full year in the big leagues. Who knows? Maybe I can catch on with a team and play for another couple of years. If it doesn't happen, I'll be fine with that, too."

The crowd of 4,227 was smaller than usual for a spring training game at Hammond Stadium, which lists a capacity of 8,100 fans.

The highlight for the Twins was Joe Crede's first start at third base. He saw immediate action, diving unsuccessfully for a hard-hit ball sent his way, and went 1-for-2 with a two-run double in the fourth inning.

"He feels good, and he looked good, too," Gardenhire said. "I saw a few good things. He's got to get his defensive work, too, just like everything else. I want to get him out there for multiple days."

Crede is coming off a second back surgery in two years.

Scott Baker, Minnesota's planned opening day starter, made his second spring start and fared better than the first. He gave up a walk and three hits in three innings, but he struck out two and did not give up any runs. On Friday against the Yankees, Baker gave up three runs and six hits in two innings.

"We talked about the location not being where he wants it to be," Gardenhire said. "He didn't keep the ball down like he wanted it, but he kept the game going."

Puerto Rico scored two runs in the sixth against Anthony Swarzak, on RBI singles by Kansas City Royals shortstop Michael Aviles and Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ramon Vazquez.

Brian Buscher, starting at first base while Justin Morneau is away with with Canada for the WBC, hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to put the Twins ahead.

Notes: Gardenhire said closer Joe Nathan's sore shoulder that caused him to back out of the WBC did not concern him and that Nathan likely would be on a regular throwing schedule again by the end of the week. Nathan threw in the bullpen Tuesday and said afterward he felt fine. ... Brendan Harris was a late scratch from the lineup at SS for the Twins because of a sore back after being hit by a pitch there over the weekend. Matt Tolbert filled his spot and went 1-for-2.