Jim Thome left Minnesota on good terms -- going to Cleveland for the final weeks of the 2011 season and signing on with the Philadelphia Phillies for this year. He has been playing the field at times for the Phillies and his season has included a disabled list/rehab assignment in the minors as the result of a back injury.
After going 2 for 18 before getting hurt, Thome has gotten 6 hits in 15 post-hab at-bats, including two doubles and a home run. During the current run of interleague games, Thome is expecting to see some steady time at designated hitter, including during the three-game series with the Twins that starts tonight at Target Field.
Thome said he wasn't concerned about his early-season struggles, which included 10 strikeouts in those 18 at-bats.
He told Jack McCaffery of the Delaware County Times: "That's baseball. I've struggled every year. Every year. So I don't look at an early struggle as 'doubting' whether I can play. Never."
Here's a look at the entire story about Thome comeback.
Here are Thome's career statistics.
And, because Upload likes the slugging lug, here's one more look at the best Target Field home run ever:
