Gomez slumps, gets a day off

OAKLAND, CALIF. - Twins outfielder Carlos Gomez was batting .356 on April 11. Since then, he's had batting slumps of 0-for-15 and 1-for-18.

On Tuesday, Gomez struck out four times in five at-bats, swinging at some pitches that would be below Gary Coleman's knees. There was no evidence of a two-strike approach, or the willingness to go the other way.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire decided it was time for a break Wednesday, as Gomez, who entered the day second in the majors with nine stolen bases, didn't start for the first time this season. Denard Span replaced Gomez in center field and in the leadoff spot.

"He needs to shorten his swing. He didn't make any adjustments [Tuesday]," said Gardenhire, who planned to speak to Gomez before Wednesday's game. "Kept swinging hard. Kept missing. He needs to make some adjustments. He gets a breather. [Today] he'll go back out there."

There are no indications the Twins will send Gomez to the minors if his skid continues, but it will be interesting to see how patient they can be. For now, they want him to take a day to regroup.

"He tried to hit the ball to the moon [Tuesday]," Gardenhire said. "We have to get back to contact. It's not a bad thing for a young fella to take a breather. This is a good time. The other young man needs to get in there."

That means Span, who could be the player sent down when outfielder Michael Cuddyer (dislocated and lacerated right index finger) comes off the 15-day disabled list, which is expected Friday.

Gardenhire said he's against moving Gomez from the leadoff spot, reasoning that he needs at-bats and he'll be better off down the road if he stays at the top of the order.

But with rookie Matt Tolbert holding his own at the plate so far, batting .400 before Wednesday's game, there is an option for the Twins to consider if Gomez continues to take bad at-bats.

Craig Monroe was back in the starting lineup Wednesday after going 3-for-4 on Tuesday with a homer and three RBI.

The focus after Tuesday's game was about how he's 10-for-14 against Oakland righthander Joe Blanton. Monroe wants the focus to be on what he's doing for the Twins. Wednesday was the fifth consecutive game in which he's had an at-bat and he's finally feeling as if he can contribute.

"I want to be productive for this team [and Tuesday] is how you feel a part of it," said Monroe, batting .300 with a homer and six RBI. "When you are out there and are doing something to help the team, it makes you feel better.

"I got over here and now I have a chance to have a day like [Tuesday], it boosts that confidence. Even for them, it boosts those guys and makes them feel like this guy might be the guy.

"So I have to focus on what I can do to be productive and not worry about when I am playing and all that stuff."

Gardenhire has had the nice problem of trying to give playing time to Monroe and Tolbert, who are hitting well. And Gardenhire didn't want Span to sit on the bench after calling him up from the minors.

"He's the veteran of the group," Gardenhire said of Monroe. "He can handle things better than some of the other guys. I try to pick my spots and try to get him in there as much as I can."

• Cuddyer now is a near-lock to join the Twins on Friday. He got seven at-bats Wednesday during an extended spring training game and reported no problems. He'll play in a simulated game today, then catch a flight to join the club in time for Friday's series opener in Arlington, Texas, against the Rangers.

• Gardenhire was startled by news that Wayne Krivsky was fired as Reds general manager Wednesday.

"I feel bad for him," Gardenhire said of Krivsky, who was an assistant GM with the Twins. "He's a hard worker. He gets after the game and he has a lot of respect for the game. I don't think you have seen the last of him."