MILWAUKEE -- Some quick Twins items to pass along while you're watching Monday Night Football:
A large group of Japanese reporters was waiting to interview Terry Ryan after he arrived at the Pfister Hotel in advance of the GM meetings. They wanted to know what Jamey Carroll's signing will mean for infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
Ryan said the Twins will "wipe the slate clean" with Nishioka, giving him a fresh start and a chance to win a starting job in spring training.
* Michael Cuddyer has been to Philadelphia to tour Citizens Bank Park and meet with manager Charlie Manuel, and the Red Sox have reportedly expressed interest in signing Cuddyer, too. But the word from Cuddyer's camp is that no team is out of the running, including the Twins.
* Ryan said Justin Morneau should be ready to resume baseball activities in late December and expects him to be ready for the start of spring training. Morneau didn't return after suffering a concussion Aug. 28, and also had surgery on his left wrist at season's end, requiring six weeks in a cast.
