Gomez is out, but not for long

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 27, 2008 - 12:25 AM

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Twins outfielder Carlos Gomez was held out again on Saturday -- but this time it was because of a bruised left calf.

Gomez, who didn't play on Wednesday because of a hitting slump, was out of the lineup for the only the second time this season after suffering a calf injury while trying to beat out a bunt hit on Friday.

The injury doesn't appear to be serious, and he might return to the starting lineup today.

"He thinks he'll be ready to play [today],'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was in the trainer's room early today, getting his treatment.''

Matt Tolbert batted leadoff on Saturday, and Craig Monroe replaced Gomez in center field.

Good talk?

Gardenhire pointed out Saturday that a manager's work isn't confined to dragging players into the office for chats they are likely to dread.

Gardenhire and other managers do a lot of their counseling on the field during batting practice.

And that's where Gardenhire planned to talk to Delmon Young about his play on Friday. Young threw to the wrong base a couple of times, allowing runners to move up a base instead of keeping the double play as an option.

Coach Jerry White, who is in charge of the outfielders, normally discusses game situations with players. But Gardenhire said that Young was just trying too hard to make a play and that he wanted to speak with him directly.

"Something was said to him in the dugout, but it's easier when I can go out there and talk to him,'' Gardenhire said. "You can't throw everyone out.''

Everyday Eddie

There are a few gray hairs in Rangers lefthander Eddie Guardado's goatee, but his competitiveness looked the same on Friday when he pitched a scoreless inning against the team with which he broke into the majors and became a fan favorite.

Guardado was activated from the disabled list Friday after recovering from a sore shoulder. Now 37, Guardado has no immediate plans to retire.

"I'm still having fun, man," said Guardado, who gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning in Saturday night's game. "I plan to leave on my own terms."

Waiting game

The Twins will go with a four-man rotation until May 10, but they won't send down a pitcher and call up a position player during that time.

Gardenhire still likes to have protection in the bullpen, but it will be interesting to see what the Twins do when shortstop Adam Everett is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday.

Everett, out because of a strained right shoulder, is making good progress and could be ready to play this week.

Etc.

• Tolbert, a Mississippi native' Craig Monroe of Texarkana, Texas; and Nick Blackburn, an Oklahoma native who lives in Denton, Texas, all have several friends and relatives at the Rangers series. Blackburn had about 40 supporters at Friday's game.

• Livan Hernandez, watching the NFL draft, voiced his approval when highlights of Arkansas' Felix Jones were played. Dallas picked Jones No. 22.