IT doesnt stop! Morneau's status Questionable for Opener

[SledNeck]

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.

[First Ice-Mike]

I bet he plays - this guy is a real gamer.

FI

[SledNeck]

but should he play and take a chance of making the injury even worse?

[Dahitman44]

Not my fault this time -- but you can blame me on Mauer, I guess.

[riverrat56]

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.

[IFallsRon]

He was a hockey player. My guess is that he'll be on the field.

[UdeLakeTom]

This is why we need Cuddy on the team...he can back up Morneau at 1st and it still gives us a good outfield.

[greebs]

isn't buscher the back up 1b?

[bgreen82]

buscher i think is, and i heard theyve been getting harris time over there in practice.

[basssmasher*]

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!

[Scott K]

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

[hanronson]

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.

[Jarrod32]

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.

[zepman]

Morneau used to play hockey...it'll take more than a sore anything to keep him out of the line-up.

[SledNeck]

Thats good to hear

[fishersofmen]

Would be nice to see another MVP type year from our guy.....

[Drewski]

Yeah it would.

[Born2Fish]

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.

[Cicada]

Do you suppose Crede came over and said, "Go with the bad back, they'll give you all kinds of time off for that."?

[SledNeck]

Buscher is hitting almost .400 in spring

Crede- .189

[greebs]

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.