Cuddyer's finger woes flare up

Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press file

Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer, who battled a sprained right thumb in 2007 and injuries to both of his index fingers last season, underwent a magnetic-resonance imaging exam Tuesday. This time, it’s his right index finger again, and doctors are calling it a strain.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: June 3, 2009 - 12:14 AM

Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer joked Tuesday that he wishes he could trade in his fingers for a new set.

Cuddyer, who battled a sprained right thumb in 2007 and injuries to both of his index fingers last season, underwent a magnetic-resonance imaging exam on Tuesday.

This time, it's his right index finger again, and doctors are calling it a strain. Cuddyer mentioned his flexor tendon again but was hopeful he'd be ready to return in a few days, once the swelling subsides.

Of course, Cuddyer had similar hope last year when he had a strained tendon in his left finger. He wound up being out from late-June until mid-September, though the finger had headed by Aug. 8, when a line drive broke a bone in his left foot at Class AAA Rochester.

"The problems I had with my other finger is the swelling was out and it still was mixed up," Cuddyer said. "But this one, they're pretty confident the swelling is what's causing the soreness."

Manager Ron Gardenhire couldn't mask his concern.

"We've gotta figure out something, and see how long it's going to be," he said. "It's a strained finger, and they tell me it'll be a couple days to get all the blood out and should be fine. But it is an issue. I'm concerned about this because this can linger, and we can't play shorthanded too much. You just can't do that when you're playing with only four guys on the bench."

Governor's plea

Here's how Gov. Tim Pawlenty opened his statement that he wasn't running for a third term:

"Good afternoon. Thanks for coming to the announcement that, in light of the Brett Favre situation and its unsettling impact on the people of Minnesota, I am signing an executive order requiring St. Paul native Joe Mauer, in addition to catching for the Twins, to also play quarterback for the Vikings.

"These are tough times, Joe, and everybody has to dig deep."

Mauer, who played quarterback at Cretin-Derham Hall, smiled at the thought as he got ready for batting practice, saying, "I've got enough on my plate."

Indeed, Mauer is the favorite to be named the AL player of the month for May. No Twin has won that monthly award since Justin Morneau in May 2007.

Mauer also leads AL catchers in the latest All-Star voting results, with 769,320, followed by Jason Varitek at 406,788. Morneau ranked third among first baseman, though he was creeping up on Kevin Youkilis and Mark Teixeira.

Etc.

• Gardenhire said he hopes third baseman Joe Crede can return to the lineup tonight after being out the past two games with swelling in his left knee. Crede took swings and fielded grounders during batting practice, trying to loosen up his knee, which is surrounded by bruises.

• Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera separated his left shoulder colliding with Twins shortstop Brendan Harris as Cabrera was trying to break up a double play in the first inning Tuesday. Cabrera, who had to be helped off the field, said the shoulder had to be popped back in. X-rays were negative, but he will undergo an MRI today, the Associated Press reported. "Maybe it's a situation where it's just a couple of days, hopefully," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said.

• Relief prospect Robert Delaney was promoted from Class AA New Britain to Rochester, replacing Mike Gosling, who exercised an out in his contract. Delaney, 24, was 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA with 40 strikeouts and six walks in 36 innings for New Britain.

Recent Twins stories

Yankees top Phillies 7-3 for their 27th championship - June 3, 2009

Yankees top Phillies 7-3 for their 27th championship - Powered by Hideki Matsui's record-tying six RBI, New York won a record 27th World Series crown. More