Michael Cuddyer's sore hip is much better and he wanted to play today but manager Ron Gardenhire doesn't want to send him back out too soon. So Cuddyer will wait one more day. ``After talking to Gardy, this is the best thing to do," Cuddyer said.
Jose Mijares, on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow, threw in the bullpen today and said he feels good. He'll throw in the bullpen tomorrow. He's not sure if he'll have to head out for a rehab assignment yet.
Nice nugget by the Twins' baseball communications department; Jim Thome is fifth all-time in homers by left-handed hitters off left-handed pitchers. The list: 1. Barry Bonds, 227. 2. Junior Griffey, 186. 3. Raffy Palmeiro, 160. 4. Crime Dog, 126). Thome. 113.
Will have more after Gardy's presser!
UPDATES: Joe Mauer is going to DH in an extended spring training game tomorrow, and there's a chance he could start catching in those extended games sometime next week. His shoulder is regaining strength and he's working on catching drills.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka is getting close. He will try sliding drills on Thursday and, if that goes well, he'll play in an extended game the next day. Paul Molitor is in Fort Myers to work with Nishioka.
Correction on Mijares: He threw lightly off a mound today but will go through a full bullpen session tomorrow. And he'll probably head out on a rehab assignment at the end of the week.
Both Matt Capps and Joe Nathan are unavailable tonight. It will be interesting to see who will get the call to close if needed.
