Punto will not use injury as an excuse

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

Last update: September 26, 2007 - 11:23 PM

DETROIT - Twins infielder Nick Punto kept the news quiet because the last thing he wanted, during this miserable season, was to make excuses.

But Punto played through pain in his rib cage area for about six weeks after suffering a slight oblique muscle injury in early June.

During those weeks, Punto stopped going to the batting cage for extra hitting, choosing to save his swings for on-field batting practice and the games.

He felt better at the end of August, and it helps explain why September has been his best month.

Punto ended August with a .197 batting average. But he has raised that average to .212 by batting .311 (19-for-61) for September.

Punto sounded surprised when a reporter asked him about the injury.

"I don't want it to be an excuse because I felt plenty good enough to play," he said. "If I had it to do all over again, I would have done the same thing."

Punto battled numerous injuries earlier in his career, but the past two seasons he has shed the label as a player who can't keep himself in the lineup.

He played 135 games last year and batted .290.

This year, he has played a career-high 147 games.

"A few years ago, maybe I would have said something about [the injury]," he said. "But I had a good enough swing. I wasn't about to pull myself out of the lineup and let my teammates down."

Gardenhire's view

One day after Torii Hunter told KFAN AM-1130, "Somebody needs to slap a couple people around and say, 'You got to play no matter what,' " manager Ron Gardenhire said that's not his jurisdiction.

"Players can get on players all they want, and they should," Gardenhire said. "As a manager, I have respect for these players enough, if they tell me they can't play, they can't play."

Gardenhire added, "It's the worst thing a manager can do is question a guy's heart.

"From a manager's standpoint, you start questioning whether a guy is really hurt or not, I don't think you'll have this job too long. I really don't. You'll lose the players. You'll lose respect. It's very important to have the players' respect and understanding."

Umpire shuffle

After his heated exchange with San Diego Padres outfielder Milton Bradley on Sunday, umpire Mike Winters was in Detroit for the Twins-Tigers series.

Winters worked the first two games but was replaced by Scott Barry after being suspended by Major League Baseball for his conduct in the Bradley incident.

Winters reportedly used a profanity toward Bradley. Crew chief Bruce Froemming declined to comment.

Mauer's physical

Twins catcher Joe Mauer said he'll have a physical soon after the season to determine whether he'll need hernia surgery. First, he's headed to his brother Jake's bachelor party.

Mauer likely caught his final game of the year Wednesday. Gardenhire wanted to let him catch Johan Santana's final start and said, "This might be it for catching." Mauer left after the third inning.

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com