Punto's return appears imminent

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 17, 2007 - 11:19 PM

SEATTLE - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire answered the question before it was asked.

"Day-to-day," he said with a chuckle. "That's where we are at. I don't have a time frame. All I know is that we're going day-to-day with it. He's got to go out on the field and run around. He's doing his work. We'll have to see how much he can do and how he feels.

"That's where we're at with Nick."

Gardenhire was speaking about third baseman Nick Punto, who missed two games last weekend because of a sprained left ankle that became swollen and had the Twins worried he would miss two weeks.

Punto is much better and indicated that he could return to the lineup tonight.

"It's gotten a lot better the last two days," Punto said.

Luis Rodriguez started at third base Tuesday and could play tonight if the Twins feel Punto needs one more day off.

That came as a big relief to Gardenhire, who initially was told by team doctors Punto would be out a minimum of two weeks.

"Now we're back to day-to-day," Gardenhire said, "which is better."

Regardless, Gardenhire expects for help to emerge.

"When someone goes down, someone else has to step up and play," Gardenhire said, "You can let them knock your socks off of you and keep playing. We choose to keep playing."

Bullpen settled

Righthander Jesse Crain, who missed a week because of a sore shoulder, is back and was available for duty Tuesday night.

"If it would have been August or September I would have tried to come back during the weekend," said Crain, who has a 2.45 ERA in four appearances, "but there was no point in pushing it. It should be ready for the long haul. If feels like nothing was ever wrong with it."

Crain will assume seventh-inning duties and Juan Rincon will handle the eighth. Rincon went two innings on Saturday against Tampa Bay, which allowed him to get back into a routine after dealing with a sore neck the opening week of the season and the death of his mother-in-law last week.

Ichiro still a pest

Talk before the game was on how to deal with Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who has moved to center field from right field. But worrying about him on the basepaths (he's stolen 40 bases in a row without being caught) is still the main concern.

"We found this out a long time ago with a guy like Ricky Henderson," Gardenhire said. "You can't let him totally determine what you are trying to do. He's going to get his stolen bases. He's going to get his base hits."

The trap is losing focus on hitters while worrying about Suzuki on the bases.

"Those are the guys who are going to kill you," Gardenhire said. "If you start putting too much emphasis on Ichiro ... a one-run inning may turn into a three-run inning."

With Ichiro in center, Raul Ibanez in left and Jose Guillen in right, the Mariners have three outfielders who throw well. The Twins will run anyway.

"I bet we'll try," Gardenhire said. "A guy like Ichiro catches your eye. You don't want to test him too many times. But we come to play. When it comes up, hopefully we'll be smart enough to know when and when not to."

Etc.

• Rondell White (right calf) went through pregame drills on Tuesday and remains on schedule to return Friday against Kansas City. Gardenhire said the team will play it safe with him this week to make sure there isn't a setback.

• Jeff Cirillo (left knee surgery) said his goal is to return to action in two weeks.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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