SledNeck Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 BRADENTON, FLA. — Twins first baseman Justin Morneau worked out on the field today in Fort Myers, Fla., but did not swing a bat, leaving him questionable for Monday’s season opener.Morneau hasn’t played in a game since Monday. He tweaked something in the middle of his back Tuesday with a swing during batting practice. With lingering stiffness, Morneau did not return to the field until today.Before today’s game against Pittsburgh, Manager Ron Gardenhire acknowledged the team would have to consider a disabled list stint for Morneau if they didn’t see progress.“I think today will tell me a little more,” Gardenhire said. “If he’s still feeling the effects today, where he’s not really doing much, then you start wondering what are we going to do here roster-wise? Are we going to have to do something with him too, to start the season?”The Twins, who already have Joe Mauer and Scott Baker on the DL, will play their final spring training game Saturday against Pittsburgh. It’s unlikely Morneau will play against the Pirates, since he hasn’t taken batting practice since Tuesday.Still, once Gardenhire heard Morneau had returned to the field, he seemed relieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Ice-Mike Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I bet he plays - this guy is a real gamer.FI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SledNeck Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 but should he play and take a chance of making the injury even worse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahitman44 Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Not my fault this time -- but you can blame me on Mauer, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riverrat56 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 but should he play and take a chance of making the injury even worse? Depends what the injury acctually is, if it is just a pulled muscle then it will heal up in a few days, hopefully before the season starts, if it is something more major then he should maybe sit for awhile? Hard to say with out more details.Personally, I think he'll be on the feild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IFallsRon Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 He was a hockey player. My guess is that he'll be on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UdeLakeTom Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 This is why we need Cuddy on the team...he can back up Morneau at 1st and it still gives us a good outfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greebs Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 isn't buscher the back up 1b? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreen82 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 buscher i think is, and i heard theyve been getting harris time over there in practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basssmasher* Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 If Morneau can't go, Buscher will be at 1st w/ crede at 3rd. til crede pulls up lame at this rate the twins will be playing their rochester affiliate in the majors before April Is over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott K Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 It looks as though he is ready to play! Quote:Justin Morneau tested his back with some swings in the cage Saturday morning and pronounced himself "ready" for game action.Morneau is penciled into Saturday's exhibition finale against the Pirates. Hopefully he'll make it through the game unscathed and feel well enough to play in the season opener. Morneau finished with a line of .389/.436/.694 this spring.Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanronson Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 In todays final pre-season game, he went 1 for 2 with 3 rbi and played 3 innings. After the game, he said he was "Good to go" for the opener according to the Twins HSOforum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrod32 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Yep...from Sporting News online:Justin Morneau, 1B (rank: 5) - Twins April 4, 4:51 p.m. Back in the lineup, Justin Morneau drove in three runs to lead the Twins to a 7-6 win over the Pirates on Saturday. Fantasy spin: Morneau was making his first appearance since developing a sore back on Tuesday. He'll be ready to go on opening day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepman Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Morneau used to play hockey...it'll take more than a sore anything to keep him out of the line-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SledNeck Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 Thats good to hear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishersofmen Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Would be nice to see another MVP type year from our guy..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewski Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Yeah it would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born2Fish Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I am just glad that all these things are happening before any really serious ball is played. Would much rather have our guys sittin out early in the season than down the stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicada Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Do you suppose Crede came over and said, "Go with the bad back, they'll give you all kinds of time off for that."? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SledNeck Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 Buscher is hitting almost .400 in springCrede- .189 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greebs Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Buscher is going to get his at bats and will play a valuable role with the team. I can see him getting many opportunities to pinch hit late in games when a left handed batter is needed and/or whenever punto is coming to the plate late in the game and a hit is needed. I suspect he will be playing 3b on occasion to give crede a day off here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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