Morneau says sore knee a bother, no more

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

First baseman Justin Morneau ran out to the field before Tuesday night's playoff game against the White Sox in Chicago, a game the Twins lost 1-0.

The Twins first baseman admitted having trouble late in the season.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: October 4, 2008 - 12:24 AM

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Twins first baseman Justin Morneau admitted having trouble with one of his knees late in the season but is not concerned that it's a serious problem.

"My knee has been a bother," Morneau wrote in response to an e-mail question, "but that is just from the general wear and tear of playing on turf in the Dome all season.

"It will be looked at, but my feeling is that it is just from the long season and nothing will be done."

Twins General Manager Bill Smith pointed out that every Twins player had an exit physical during the final weeks of the season. The club would have acted if it felt that Morneau's knee needed further attention, he said.

"This man played 163 games this season,'' Smith said. "He's going to have some aches and pains but he's a battler and would never come out of the lineup."

Morneau entered September as an MVP candidate but didn't homer after Sept. 9 and finished the season in a 4-for-34 (.118) skid.

He didn't say which knee gave him trouble. Morneau denied that the sore knee contributed to his problems at the plate.

"I don't feel it really affected my swing,'' he said.