Twins' Plouffe returns healthy but without an everyday role

As Trevor Plouffe pointed out, his medical report this season contains more than the broken rib that landed him on the disabled list last month.

"Anything from my knee acting up to my wrist, my groin," he said. "I was able to take care of all those things [while on the DL]. Hopefully it carries over."

Now fully healthy, Plouffe is ready to return to third base and be the everyday force that he wants to be.

Only he can't.

Plouffe was activated from the disabled list Monday and was back at third base, but he's not promised that position every day because the Twins want to look at Miguel Sano and Jorge Polanco there, too.

Next month with the Twins isn't promised to Plouffe, either, because he could be a trade candidate provided that he clears waivers and a team has a need for a steady third baseman with some pop.

And next season certainly isn't promised to Plouffe, because he's scheduled to get an arbitration boost from the $7.25 million he's making this year. With Sano and Polanco around, Plouffe might no longer be a fit.

"My focus right now is [Monday's] game. Maybe as I get back in the swing of things I'll start to think about [the future]. But if it happens, it would be really sad. But you can't control that."

There have been a few developments since Plouffe landed on the DL. Sano was moved to third to replace him, and his play has been hair-raising at times as he has committed 12 errors in 28 games. Eduardo Nunez was traded, and Polanco called up to replace him. Since Polanco is out of options next season, the time is now for the Twins to figure out what they have in him.

Even the team's play has changed while Plouffe recovered, as the Twins were 20-12 in the 32 games he missed. They returned home Monday from a 5-2 road trip that included winning three of four games at AL Central-leading Cleveland.

"It's been fun watching these guys play over their last road trip," said Plouffe, who batted .316 with a home run and two RBI during a five-game rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Rochester. "I want to be a part of that."

First base and DH are options in addition to his customary spot at third. But the Twins already have Joe Mauer and Kenny Vargas at first.

Plouffe could give Molitor a bigger headache by coming off the DL swinging a hot bat. Plouffe went 1-for-4 Monday and is batting .252 with seven home runs and 27 RBI in 59 games this season, but Polanco, who was 2-for-4 Monday, has forced Molitor's hand by batting .378 through his first nine games since being called up.

After falling to meet his standards during a season interrupted by injuries — he missed 13 games earlier in the season because of a right intercostal strain — Plouffe is hungry to contribute. When he gets a chance to.

"We have a bunch of guys playing the same positions, but I think we will be able to do it," he said. "I think some guys are going to get some days off, including myself. More so than we were before. That's all up to [Molitor]. I just work here."