Gardenhire is replay proponent

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: May 23, 2008 - 11:21 PM

DETROIT - As Major League Baseball moves closer to adopting instant replay, count Twins manager Ron Gardenhire among those in favor of it.

"I like that, just for home runs," Gardenhire said before Friday's 9-4 victory over the Tigers.

In November, general managers voted 25-5 in favor of using instant replay for disputed boundary calls -- whether home runs are fair or foul, whether home runs clear the fence, and fan interference.

MLB is reportedly considering a trial run for such replay use for the Arizona Fall League, spring training and the World Baseball Classic next March.

"The umpires will tell you the same thing -- it's all about getting [calls] right," Gardenhire said. "And in some of these ballparks, it's almost impossible. ... I don't ever want to take out the human factor [for ball-strike calls, safe-out calls, etc.].

"But for home runs, sometimes they need help on those things."

Baker takes step

The Twins gave no timetable for Scott Baker's return from a strained right groin injury until Friday, when he pitched live batting practice in Fort Myers, Fla.

It was Baker's second pain-free throwing session in three days.

Pitching coach Rick Anderson said Baker will pitch in an extended spring training game Monday, with a goal of throwing three or four innings and 55-60 pitches.

Baker would pitch in another game five days later, and if that goes well, the Twins could activate him from the disabled list.

"With him and that injury, you play it one day at a time," Anderson said.

Macri joins club

Matt Macri likely will start at third base tonight, when the Twins face Tigers lefthander Nate Robertson, Gardenhire said.

The Twins picked Macri to replace the injured Adam Everett partly because he is a righthanded hitter who plays third base, in addition to shortstop and second base.

Macri was batting .263 with one home run and 10 doubles for Class AAA Rochester.

The Twins acquired him from Colorado for pitcher Ramon Ortiz on Aug. 15. The move saved the Twins $800,000 and reunited them with Macri, whom they picked in the 17th round of the 2001 draft.

Macri, 25, did not sign with the Twins, choosing instead to go to Notre Dame and then signing with the Rockies as a fifth-round pick in 2004.

Macri was happy with the trade last summer, and getting his first big-league promotion only reinforced his feelings.

"It's always good to get a new set of eyes on you," he said.

Etc.

• Twins first baseman Justin Morneau was mum about any plans to attend Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday in Detroit. That's an off day for the Twins, but the team will fly to Kansas City after Sunday's game, so he would need team permission again. Morneau has managed to see the Stanley Cup clincher each of the past two years.

• Twins reliever Bobby Korecky graduated from Saline High School, near Ann Arbor, Mich., and graduated from the University of Michigan, with a degree in organizational studies. His wife, Jill, is also from Michigan, and Korecky said they will have about 15-20 friends and family attending games this weekend. Korecky pitched a scoreless ninth inning Friday.

• Everett had an MRI on his right shoulder Friday. The Twins were still awaiting results.

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