Reyes won't go on DL just yet

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Before Twins pitcher Dennys Reyes received the results from his shoulder exam Monday, he seemed to sense the worst.

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

Last update: May 22, 2007 - 12:20 AM

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Before Twins pitcher Dennys Reyes received the results from his shoulder exam Monday, he seemed to sense the worst.

"I've been pitching for a long time," he said. "Pitchers always feel pain. But this one was different -- real deep. ... I am really concerned because I've never had this feeling."

Reyes, 30, underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam and was later diagnosed with degeneration of his rotator cuff and labrum.

But manager Ron Gardenhire, who was reading the report from Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister, said there is no evidence of any new injuries.

So the plan is not to place Reyes on the disabled list. The lefthander will begin a shoulder strengthening program and won't resume throwing until he visits with Twins physician Dr. Dan Buss on Thursday or Friday in the Twin Cities.

Gardenhire said Reyes might only need two or three days to build back his strength. But once fellow lefthander Glen Perkins went down because of a strained shoulder in Monday's 14-4 loss to Texas, Gardenhire suggested the Twins needed to call up a pitcher by tonight.

"It does make the situation a little more dire here the next two days," Gardenhire said.

Crain's season over

As the Twins awaited Reyes' results, the worst-case scenario continued playing out for reliever Jesse Crain.

Crain made it official this weekend, deciding to have season-ending surgery May 29 to repair his torn labrum and torn rotator cuff. Dr. David Altcheck, the Mets' orthopedist and noted shoulder specialist, will perform the procedure.

Bartlett sore, too

Jason Bartlett came to the clubhouse requesting extra treatment for spots in his neck and shoulder, so Gardenhire kept him on the bench and started Nick Punto at shortstop. Bartlett did not take batting practice, but he was moving crisply during fielding drills. Gardenhire said Bartlett was available to play off the bench.

"We're doing treatment on him, and I don't know where that's going to go -- if he's going to have to do some test, or MRI, to see what's going on," Gardenhire said. "He told me he could play if he needs to."

Explaining Ford's role

After spending 34 games on the disabled list, Lew Ford has started seven of the past 10 in left field, with Jason Kubel seeing more time on the bench or at DH.

"It's not always about [Ford] hitting doubles and triples, it's about him having good at-bats, and he's having them," Gardenhire said of Ford, who is batting .185 after going 0-for-4 Monday. "I like the way he's moving defensively, and I like his energy. He can move around the bases pretty good. So we're just going to let him play out there a little bit, mix in Kubel and all those other guys, too, as much as we can."

Etc.

• The Twins had hoped catcher Joe Mauer (strained left quadriceps muscle) would be ready to return from the DL Friday, but Mauer was sore Sunday after increasing his activities. He did resume light jogging Monday.

• Gardenhire said Ford likely will play center field Wednesday, allowing Torii Hunter a partial break as the DH. Justin Morneau likely will DH tonight, with Jeff Cirillo subbing at first base.

• In its annual ranking of media guide covers, Major League Baseball picked the Twins in a tie for second place with the Yankees, behind the Red Sox. This year's Twins cover has drawings of Morneau, Mauer, Hunter and Johan Santana.

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com