Cuddyer will miss more games

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer will need another day or two to heal a bruised back suffered on Tuesday during a tumble in Tampa Bay.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 7, 2007 - 10:55 AM

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer will need another day or two to heal a bruised back suffered on Tuesday during a tumble in Tampa Bay.

Cuddyer said the soreness was going away, but not enough for him to get on the field and attempt any pre-game activities on Friday. He's using ice and medication to help with the injury.

Cuddyer and the club were relieved that an X-ray taken in Tampa Bay didn't show any damage to his spine.

"It's not a strain. It's not a pull," he said. "It's just a bruise."

Without Cuddyer, who's batting .284 with 2 homers and 19 RBI, the Twins lineup lacks even more punch. Torii Hunter batted cleanup on Friday while catcher Mike Redmond batted sixth. Six hitters in the Twins starting lineup have yet to hit a homer.

Alcohol policy

In the wake of Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock's death, many Major League Baseball teams are reviewing their policies on allowing alcohol in clubhouses.

The issue was pushed forward further on Friday when it was learned that Hancock had a blood alcohol level of .157 and was carrying marijuana when he smashed into the rear of a tow truck and died last weekend.

Twins GM Terry Ryan said the club banned alcohol from being served on team flights about 10 years ago and, in recent years, has stopped providing alcohol in either home or visitors' clubhouses at the Dome.

"But it comes back to making choices," Ryan said. "These are grown men for the most part. All you can do is educate and make sure that there are ramifications on choices."

Alcohol occasionally can be found in the clubhouse, but it's not brought in by the team.

No lefties

Lefthander Dennys Reyes hasn't pitched in a week because of tendinitis in his shoulder. Since lefthander Glen Perkins pitched on Thursday, the Twins went into Friday without a lefty to match up against David Ortiz and J.D. Drew.

Joining forces

Twins lefthander Johan Santana and Red Sox righthander Curt Schilling met with the media before the game to promote melanoma awareness.

Both pitchers, who finished one-two in A.L. Cy Young voting in 2004, have been affected by the disease. Schilling's wife, Shonda, is a melanoma survivor while Lynne Greenberg, wife of Ed Greenberg, one of Santana's agents, died because of melanoma in January.

The two are building support for the SunWise with SHADE poster contest, a nationwide event for children from kindergarten through eighth grade. The Minnesota winner will receive an entry into the national contest, Twins tickets, a chance to meet Santana, a $250 savings bond and a $500 SHADE grant to the winner's school.

Game rescheduled

The Twins' game on Aug. 30 at Cleveland has been moved to Aug. 27 at 6:05 p.m. The change allows Cleveland and Seattle to make up their April 8 game on Aug. 30, a mutual off day for both clubs.

Staff writer Joe Christensen contributed to this report.

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

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