Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer has increased range of motion in his neck after receiving an epidural injection on Thursday in the Twin Cities.
After resting on Friday, Cuddyer plans to go through standard pre-game routines on Saturday and avalable off the bench. Then he hopes to start on Sunday. If all goes according to his plan, he will miss nine games, not including a possible appearance on Saturday.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had expressed concern over how long he could wait for Cuddyer to get healthy before sending him to the disabled list, where he couldn't play until Aug. 26. Cuddyer, along with Danny Valencia the only regulars to not be placed on the disabled list this season, is doing all he can to avoid the list.
``For me, the issue of going on the DL is that i didn't want to be ready to play on Sunday and can't come off until next Friday,'' he said. ``I didnt want to have to miss another six games if I didn't have to.''
INJURY UPDATES: Trainer Rick McWane provided injury updates on several fronts on Friday.
- Infielder Matt Tolbert (sprain left wrist) took a full round of batting practice on Friday and was available off the bench.
- Outfielder Jason Repko, on the 15-day DL with a left shoulder bursits, is close to heading out on the minor league rehabiliation assignment.
- Righthander Scott Baker, on the 15-day DL with a right flexor strain, is close to beginning a throwing program.
- Infielder Alexi Casilla, on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring, is close to resuming field activities.
STAT OF THE DAY: With help from Mitch Hestad of the Twins' baseball communications department: The 2011 Twins have a chance to become the second team in club history to go an entire season without being over .500. The only other team since 1961 was the 1983 Twins.
Yankees (75-47)
1. Brett Gardner, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Curtis Granderson, CF
4. Mark Teixeria, 1B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Eric Chavez, 3B
8. Jorge Posada, DH
9. Russell Martin, C
