Twins: Ford might need knee surgery

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

Last update: February 27, 2007 - 10:18 PM

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Twins outfielder Lew Ford had arthroscopic surgery this winter to fix his left knee. Now he might be headed for surgery on his right knee and could miss the rest of spring training.

Ford took a cortisone shot Tuesday after the results of a magnetic resonance imaging exam showed torn cartilage in his right knee. He said he needs to wait three days before testing the knee, and that if he still is in pain, he will undergo more arthroscopic surgery.

Ford, 30, said he could have the surgery and still be ready to start the season, but in that scenario, he likely would miss most of the exhibition games.

"The main thing is just to get it where I can go out there and be healthy," Ford said. "It's better if it happens now than during the season."

Crain inks three-year deal

The Twins gave reliever Jesse Crain a three-year deal worth $3.25 million, giving him some extra financial security while buying out two of his three arbitration years.

Crain will earn $500,000 in 2007, $1.05 million in '08 and $1.7 million in '09.

"They came to us with [the contract offer]," he said. "It's something I was actually hoping for. I just wasn't sure it was going to happen with everybody that had arbitration last year. I'm just excited about it and looking forward to being with the Twins."

Ponson set for B-games

Because of Sidney Ponson's visa issue, the Twins moved forward with plans to use him in a B-game Monday. His visa hearing is scheduled for March 9 in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.

"If we really got into a bind, where we need him to throw, we could even set up an intrasquad game," Gardenhire said. "That's old-school baseball."

While Twins officials are frustrated with this issue, the have been encouraged by what they have seen from Ponson in camp. The veteran righthander generated several ground balls from the likes of Joe Mauer during batting practice Tuesday.

New stop on radio dial

The Twins will make their debut on new radio rights-holder KSTP (1500 AM) today when their game against Boston airs on the station beginning at 6 p.m.

The Twins' rights had been held by WCCO (830 AM) since the team moved to Minnesota in 1961 but that relationship ended when the team and KSTP agreed to a four-year contract in August. The new deal gives the Twins control of the production.

While the team will be on a different station, the voices describing the action will be familiar. John Gordon and Dan Gladden will call tonight's game. Longtime Twins voice Herb Carneal also will continue in a limited role this season, but for the second year in a row won't work any spring training games. KSTP is scheduled to carry 25 games from Florida.

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com

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