Cuddyer looking for pain-free days

By Staff Report

Last update: July 29, 2008 - 2:48 PM

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Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer put on a glove Monday for the first time since June 28, played catch and took fly balls in the outfield before the game. He grabbed a bat and took 25 soft swings.

He received two cortisone shots last week in his left hand -- both near the source of discomfort in his left index finger -- and feels much better.

"It's definitely a positive," Cuddyer said.

Cuddyer suffered a hand injury last month - his second of the season - and it has been slow to respond to treatment. The result of his being sidelined has been that Denard Span has moved in and played impressively on a daily basis in the outfield. After Carlos Gomez injured himself in Cleveland over the weekend, Span moved to center with Jason Kubel and Craig Monroe playing right in the last three games.

Gomez returned to action Monday night as a late-inning defensive replacement, playing center while Span moved to right to replace Monroe.

Cuddyer needs a few more pain-free days -- and full batting practices -- before he will go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. The injury has baffled the Twins medical staff, so everyone agrees they will be cautious from here on out.

"This is something Cuddyer and I talked about," Manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We don't want him to come back at 65 percent. He'd like to be healthy the next time he comes back."