Killebrew missed in Florida, but recovery is going well

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Harmon Killebrew's uniform hangs in the coaches dressing room at Hammond Stadium, waiting for the Hall of Famer to walk in and slip into it.

If Killebrew is able to attend spring training, he will arrive later than sooner this year. But there still remains a chance that the former Twins slugger will appear as he continues to make progress after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer last month and beginning treatments in Arizona.

"We haven't made any collective decisions on spring training," Twins President Dave St. Peter said. "We have not ruled it out. We have not ruled it in.

"He sounds as good as he has since the diagnosis. We're encouraged."

St. Peter said he hoped to get another update on Killebrew in the next couple of days. Killebrew normally would arrive at camp during full squad workouts and take a spot behind the batting cage.

"He's doing really good," St, Peter said. "He's in the throws of treatment. He continues to be very optimistic and very upbeat. They have been able to control his weight loss."

The introduction Joe Mauer was in the middle of a conversation with a reporter when Twins baseball communications director Mike Herman appeared with three people behind him. One of the three stuck out a hand and said, "Hello. Nice to meet you."

Mauer asked Nishioka if he was doing OK and getting used to everything, and Nishioka nodded. Ryo Shinkawa, Nishioka's interpreter, also introduced himself.

"We going to make sure he's as comfortable as possible," Mauer said of his new teammate.

Nishioka ended up at his stall and began trying on helmets as Mauer unpacked several boxes of equipment. The Twins have moved Nishioka's stall to one end of the clubhouse, where there's more room to handle an expected throng of Japanese media.

Construction continued Thursday in the stands at Hammond Stadium to clear a space for an auxiliary media section to handle an expected increase in reporters because of the arrival of the Japanese batting champion and Gold Glove winner.

Return of the 'stache? Righthander Carl Pavano reported to camp Thursday wearing a goatee. He said he might go back to the thick mustache that made him look like Mario of video game fame but also was a hit with fans.

Pavano said he came up with the idea on a whim last year and expects to settle on a look for the 2011 season in similar fashion.

Late arrival The only pitcher known to not report Thursday was righthander Yorman Bazardo, who won't arrive until Friday because of a travel issue. Twins General Manager Bill Smith stressed Bazardo, a native of Venezuela, has had no visa problems.

Barzardo, a nonroster invitee, was 7-2 with a 2.63 ERA for Aragua of the Venezuelan Winter League. The 26-year-old last pitched in the majors with Houston in 2009, going 1-3 with a 7.88 ERA.

Etc. • Catchers take the field at 7:30 a.m. Friday morning, with pitchers following at 8 a.m.