Demotion served Bartlett well

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 29, 2009 - 1:50 AM

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That guy at shortstop for the Rays sure looks familiar. It's Jason Bartlett, who manned the same position for the Twins from 2004 to '07 and now holds the spot for Tampa Bay.

Last season, Bartlett was named Tampa Bay's Most Valuable Player by the local chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He batted .286, stole 20 bases and was a big difference in the field, where he was strong with the glove and helped settle down an infield that was shaky the year before.

That's right, Bartlett settled down the infield. This is the same guy who was left in the minors to start the 2006 season because he needed to take charge more. Bartlett eventually was called up and helped the Twins rally to win the AL Central title -- and hasn't forgotten the lesson he learned.

"I always think about that," Bartlett said of being sent down. "Maybe what they told me molded me into the player I am."

Bartlett clicked on Juan Morillo's 95 miles-per-hour fastball for a home run on Monday, his third of the season and his first against his former team. He entered Tuesday batting .391 against the Twins, then went 2-for-4 Tuesday night.

Mauer on his way back

Twins catcher Joe Mauer is expected to return to the Twin Cities today after completing a five-game rehabilitation stint at Class A Fort Myers. He went 1-for-2 with a double and a sacrifice fly and left the game after batting in the fifth inning Tuesday.

Mauer originally was scheduled to play for Fort Myers today, but it's a 10 a.m. game to accommodate school attendance. So Mauer will head home and get a day off Thursday before making his season debut Friday against Sidney Ponson and the Royals.

There have been no problems with the sore right sacroiliac joint that bothered him throughout the offseason and spring training.

Crain update

Righthander Jesse Crain, who is working his way back from a sore shoulder, felt great after playing catch before Tuesday's game. There was talk about Crain trying to throw in the bullpen today, but nothing had been finalized.

Crain is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday.

"Whether he's going to be ready for that, I'm not positive," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

The Twins would have to clear space on their roster to make room for Crain. Morillo hit 98 on the gun four times during his outing Monday, but also gave up Bartlett's homer. The Twins would like to work with Morillo but might need his roster spot if another option doesn't present itself.

Cuddy slump

Michael Cuddyer is in a 4-for-27 skid, but Gardenhire remains patient with his right fielder -- for now.

"It's early," Gardenhire said. "Not a lot of at-bats [to go on]. Counting some of the balls he's hit hard but right at people, he's actually been on the ball pretty decent. He's not getting a lot of hits right now. Hopefully that will change around."

While Gardenhire has used left and center to play Denard Span, Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young, Cuddyer has been the mainstay in right. He was 1-for-2 Tuesday and walked twice.

Etc.

• Gomez left the club Tuesday to travel to Fort Myers to be with his wife, Gerandy, for the birth of their first child.

• Justin Morneau was told to pick a day during the series to be the designated hitter. He picked Tuesday, so Brian Buscher made his first start of the season at first base.

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