The morning after perhaps the best outing of his career, Johan Santana was at a gym with teammates Carlos Silva and Boof Bonser for a little aerobic spinning.
Yes, his cell phone smoldered from all the congratulatory calls following his club-record 17-strikeout performance on Sunday against Texas. He could only savor the moment for so long before returning to the routine that's helped him win two AL Cy Young awards.
"It's always fun when you do something special," Santana said. "At the same time, you have to work. It's not like everything is over. It's not the only game you have."
Santana received a standing ovation before Monday's Twins-Mariners game as the crowd acknowledged his record. He also was recognized for being named AL player of the week. Santana went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts last week. He struck out 21 in 15 innings. It's the third time in his career he has won the award.
Catcher Mike Redmond, who called Sunday's game, combined with Paul Lo Duca to catch a 14-strikeout game by A.J. Burnett while with the Marlins in 2004. Redmond, however, isn't ready to have Santana autograph any memorabilia from Sunday's game.
"I'm not going have him sign anything until the end of the year," Redmond said. "I still think he can do better, so I'm holding out."
The Killebrew treatment
One of the most memorable photos in Twins history is one of a smiling Harmon Killebrew holding up baseballs from his 500th and 501st career home runs, taken in 1971.
At the suggestion of Twins baseball communications maven Molly Gallatin, the Twins today will photograph Santana holding one of the balls from his 17-strikeout masterpiece. Just like the Killebrew shot, a thick black marker will be used to write a big '17' on the baseball.
Buscher, Bartlett better
Third baseman Brian Buscher, on the disabled list because of an infection in his right leg, is making enough progress during his minor league rehabilitation stint that Twins manager Ron Gardenhire expects Buscher to be activated in time for Thursday's series opener in Baltimore.
Shortstop Jason Bartlett, out since Wednesday because of a strained left hamstring, worked out before Monday's game with no problems and also could be ready Thursday, if not sooner.
Tommy Watkins started at third in place of Buscher and Nick Punto started at shortstop in place of Bartlett.
Etc.
• With strikeouts in the news, it should be noted that the Twins are on schedule to face AL strikeout leader Erik Bedard on Sunday in Baltimore. Bedard, who will face Texas tonight, leads Santana 207-191 in the major league strikeout race.
•Jason Kubel, who is nursing a strained left oblique muscle and didn't play Monday, stung the ball all over the Metrodome during batting practice. Gardenhire said Kubel will start today against lefthander Jarrod Washburn.
• Joe Mauer ended an 0-for-17 slump with a double in the sixth.
• Justin Morneau hasn't homered in a career-long 96 at-bats, but put in some early work Monday and responded with three hits, including two doubles.
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