Morneau might play by Thursday

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: June 25, 2007 - 11:06 PM

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau could return to the lineup in a couple of days, according to manager Ron Gardenhire.

"I was told the possibility of Wednesday or Thursday, if he feels up to it and can play," Gardenhire said. "We just have to see how Mourny is doing when he gets back here."

Morneau flew home to the Twin Cities on Monday after spending three days in a Florida hospital because of a bruised lung suffered Friday in a home plate collision with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo.

Morneau arrived at the clubhouse during Monday's game, an 8-5 Toronto victory. Morneau was examined by Twins physician Tom Jetzer and will undergo more tests today.

"Our doctors are going to look at him, do a test, and make sure he got through the plane flight OK," Gardenhire said, "and we'll see what we're going to do."

Morneau was injured in the eighth inning Friday as he scored on Jason Kubel's double. Morneau tried to drop a shoulder into Olivo, but his chest slammed into Olivo's shoulder instead. Morneau had trouble breathing and began coughing up blood.

Jeff Cirillo, who has dealt with sore knees since the beginning of the season, started at first base Monday for the third consecutive game.

"He's played well," Gardenhire said of Cirillo. "He's a professional hitter. He fights his legs here and there. He's been going out there getting it done and playing. He'll have to suck it up and keep playing until we get Mourny back on the field."

White improving

Outfielder Rondell White has had a string of good workouts in Fort Myers, Fla., raising hopes he will be able to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment soon. White is recovering from a strained right calf muscle that has forced him to miss all but three games this season.

The Twins remain cautious. They can't send White on a 20-day rehabilitation assignment until they are sure he won't have another setback, as he did a couple of weeks ago.

It appears it would be a stretch to expect White back before the All-Star break.

Walk talk worked

Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson addressed his staff on May 18 after the club fell to eighth in the American League in walks allowed. The Twins led the majors in fewest walks last season.

The talk apparently worked, as the Twins entered Monday with 206 walks, second fewest in the league and third fewest in the majors.

"There you go," Anderson said. "They are throwing it over."

After walking 81 batters in 25 April games and 84 batters in 27 May games, the Twins have walked only 41 batters in 22 June games, including none Monday.

Etc.

• Jason Bartlett, 6-for-18 with five RBI during last week's road trip, batted second on Monday and went 1-for-4 witha run scored. Gardenhire said Bartlett, provided that he continues to hit, could remain in the No. 2 spot once Morneau returns to the lineup. That means Joe Mauer, who hit .220 in the second spot before Morneau was injured, could remain the No. 3 hitter.

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

Recent Twins stories

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - June 25, 2007

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday. The whole scene made him a little wistful. More