Everett, Bass will test their injuries today

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 19, 2008 - 11:39 AM

Twins shortstop Adam Everett and reliever Brian Bass face fitness tests today and could land on the disabled list if they don't pass.

Everett took a cortisone shot Wednesday in an attempt to deal with an impingement in this right shoulder that is causing weak throws. Everett will try out his shoulder before today's game against Cleveland. Bass strained his lower back during Thursday's loss and will try to play catch in the outfield.

Manager Ron Gardenhire indicated the Twins will make a roster move if either Everett or Bass fails his test.

"Tomrrow is a big day,'' Gardenhire said after the Twins' 4-0 loss to the Indians on Friday. "We'll see if we can catch up and get back to full force.''

Expectations were high on Friday afternoon that the Twins would make a roster move, but the club decided to wait a day.

Outfielder Michael Cuddyer, on the 15-day DL because of a dislocated and lacerated right index finger, might be sent to Fort Myers, Fla., to continue his rehabilitation. Gardenhire said there is a chance Cuddyer could be activated in time for the Twins' series at Texas that begins Friday.

Powerless

The Twins have only seven home runs; entering Friday, only San Diego and Oakland had hit fewer. What's even more baffling is Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel have all the Twins' homers.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last major league team to go 16 games with only two players with homers was Pittsburgh in 1989 (Glenn Wilson and Barry Bonds). Jose Lind homered in Game 17.

The last American League team to go that long was Cleveland in 1984 (Andre Thornton and Brook Jacoby). The Indians went 23 games that year before a third player (George Vukovich) homered for them.

Slowey hits the road

Twins righthander Kevin Slowey has been cleared to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment after making it through a bullpen session Friday that Gardenhire called "fantastic.''

Slowey, on the DL because of a strained right biceps, will start Monday at Class A Fort Myers and have a 50-pitch limit. If all goes well, he will have a 70-pitch limit for a start on Friday.

If there are no setbacks, Slowey will move up to Rochester for a start. He should be able to throw 90 pitches by then.

Etc.

• Outfielder Carlos Gomez, who has nine stolen bases in 10 attempts this season, is two away from setting the Twins record for the most steals through the end of April. Torii Hunter (in 2005) and Chuck Knoblauch (in 1997) each stole 11.

• Terry Ryan, a senior adviser to the general manager, and Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues, are with Class AA New Britain for a few days to check in on Twins prospects.

• Nick Punto, who entered Friday 3-for-7 against Cleveland lefthander Cliff Lee, got the start at third base Friday. Punto went 0-for-2 vs. Lee but had a ninth-inning infield single off reliever Rafael Perez.

• Craig Monroe was 0-for-3 at designated hitter. He has been the DH in all seven of his starts.

• Cleveland DH Travis Hafner might miss the whole series because of a sore right shoulder.

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