FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kevin Slowey is making a strong push for a spot in Minnesota’s rotation.

The right-hander insists he’ll be all right with whatever role the Twins decide for him.

Slowey kept pace in his bid to be Minnesota’s fifth starter, throwing four shutout innings in a 9-0 victory Monday over the Florida Marlins.

Slowey, competing with fellow right-hander Scott Baker for the final slot in the rotation, struck out three and gave up two hits.

“Slowey was really good, wrapping it around the zone, in and out,” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who indicated he might wait until the end of camp to choose between Slowey and Baker.

“We’ll decide on who we think will be able to handle the bullpen role better than the other,” Gardenhire said.

Slowey went 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA last season as a starter. He was 10-3 with a 4.86 ERA in 2009.

“The people in this organization know what it takes to win,” Slowey said. “Whatever they decide, we’ll be fine with it. It’s not even worth sweating. I think you can ask anybody in this clubhouse: We’ll do whatever it takes to help this team win. You see a guy like Jim Thome, a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He doesn’t get 300 at-bats last year, and he’s not complaining one bit. He’s talking about how excited he is to be a part of a championship team. I think if a guy like that can be satisfied, certainly I can do the same.”

Gardenhire described the rotation situation as a conundrum other managers would like to have. Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Brian Duensing and Nick Blackburn have already been assured spots.

“We’re fortunate to have six guys who are all very capable starters in the big leagues,” Gardenhire said. “All deserve to be starters in the big leagues, but we just can’t start the season like that. We’re very fortunate to have that.”