DUNEDIN, FLA. – Twins General Manager Terry Ryan "is pleased with the progress" he has made in recovering from cancer surgery on his neck and is ready to begin six weeks of radiation treatment, assistant GM Rob Antony said Saturday.
"I talked to him this morning on the drive over [to Dunedin] for about a half-hour, and he sounded good. He's doing well," Antony said. "He's trying to regain a sense of normalcy."
Ryan underwent surgery Feb. 11 to remove squamous-cell cancer from the lymph nodes in his neck. The five-times-a-week radiation sessions make it unlikely he will make it to Florida this spring, but Antony said he is engaged and up-to-date on the team's progress and will take part in any debate over roster moves.
"He's always going to have his opinions. He doesn't have to be sitting here in the stands every day," Antony said. "He knows as much about these players as anybody."
Florimon feeling good
Pedro Florimon is going through fielding drills and taking batting practice with no problems stemming from Feb. 17 surgery to remove his appendix. He feels good, has no checkups scheduled and is at the point where he hopes to play in his first spring training game in a week.
The Twins were worried about whether the shortstop would be ready for Opening Day. But if he can play within a week, he would have about two weeks of games to prepare for the season.
"I think 25, 30 at-bats, and I think I would be ready," he said.
Bad chicken?
Two days ago, Oswaldo Arcia was so sick players were scattering as he walked through the clubhouse. Friday, he shook his head when asked if he felt any better.
But Saturday, he smiled and announced he has gotten rid of the bug that knocked him out of the lineup. "Three days ago, I ate some chicken," he said, "and right after that, I got sick."
