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Twins' Justin Morneau nears rehab stint after long layoff
content: UpdatedAug 1, 2011 12:23 AM ETOAKLAND, Calif. - Justin Morneau is nearing a minor league
rehabilitation assignment, but manager Ron Gardenhire is concerned
his first baseman might be a little too eager to return.
"The one thing we know we have to do with Morney is slow him
down, because he's going to be a like a raging bull in a china shop
pretty soon," Gardenhire said. "He wants to get going. We have to
be really careful so he doesn't hurt himself again."
Morneau had surgery June 26 to repair a ruptured disk in his
neck, which was causing numbness, weakness and soreness in his left
arm, and hasn't played since June 9 because of a sore wrist.Twins trainer Rick McWane said
Morneau swung in the cage Friday for the first time - tee and soft
toss - "and had no issues at all with his neck or his wrist. We're
very happy with his progress."
McWane said Morneau possibly could begin a rehab assignment
before the
Twins return from this road trip to
play the White Sox on Aug. 6. But Gardenhire is circumspect.
"I know Rick said (Morneau) is thinking of maybe a few days of
some BP on the field and then head right to Triple A and get in
some games, but you've been out six, seven weeks, I think the
best-case scenario for me would be to see him get into at least
some sort of simulated game, see some live pitching in a controlled
atmosphere, rather than go right into Triple-A games," the manager
said.
If Official Phil Rizzuto Jersey he had has his way, Gardenhire said he would send Morneau to
Fort Myers to bat in simulated games before heading to Class AAA
Rochester.
"I think we've got plenty of pitchers in Florida for a couple of
days," he said. "If we can talk the big Canuck into doing
that."
More rehab for Span: Denard Span was cleared medically to return
to the
Twins, Official Reggie Jackson Jersey but it appears that won't
happen until Monday, when the team has an off day before starting a
three-game series in Anaheim.
When Span (concussion) went out on a rehab assignment to
Rochester, Gardenhire said he wanted the Official Randy Winn Jersey center fielder to get Official Thurman Munson Jersey 40
to 50 minor league at-bats before returning to the big leagues. It
appears the
Twins are sticking to that plan.
Span had 30 plate appearances heading into the Red Official Alex Rodriguez Jersey Wings' game
Friday at Louisville, where he was scheduled to play his third
straight game of nine innings. Gardenhire said last week the team
wanted him to play "multiple" games of nine innings before
returning.
"I know he's played three games in a row where he's felt pretty
decent, so there's no reason he can't play a few more," Gardenhire
said.
Two regulars sit: Infielders Danny Valencia and Tsuyoshi
Nishioka were given Friday night's game off, for different
reasons.
Gardenhire said Nishioka, in the throes of a 3-for-28 skid
(.107), needs a break. Valencia, the manager said, is in Dutch
after what Gardenhire perceived as lackadaisical play late in
Thursday's 4-1 loss at Texas.
"Nishi, he's been battling, he's been pressing. He's trying so
stinkin' hard to get a hit," Gardenhire said. "So Official Alex Rodriguez Jersey with the travel
and a late night, let him take a breather, watch a game, and he'll
be out there tomorrow. But Danny needs a day, too; he's played
every stinking day. He got me mad at him, and now he gets a Official Robinson Cano Jersey day
off."
Valencia, the team's RBI leader with 55, kept the Rangers'
breakout eighth inning alive with a throwing error from third base,
and Gardenhire said he wasn't paying much attention defensively
even before that.
"I was a little disappointed; we were in some trouble, got a
situation Official Roger Maris Jersey going on, and he's a little aloof," Gardenhire said. "I
just thought, well, he can set with me tonight and watch a
ballgame."Terms & Conditions |Privacy |Copyright |? 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.