OAKLAND, CALIF. – It will be interesting to see how the Twins use Marwin Gonzalez during the series against the Rangers.
Gonzalez, who was activated from the injured list on Saturday after recovering from a strained right hamstring, missed his second consecutive game on Thursday with a bruised right big toe. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he could use Gonzalez if he really wanted to but preferred to give him another day to let his toe heal. Baldelli also indicated that Gonzalez has other nicks and dings that are nagging him.
"After a couple of days he's going to be OK to get out there," Baldelli said. "He's available but he is sore and we just want to let him heal up as opposed to putting him out there, forcing it and causing something else to happen that we don't want to happen."
If the Twins determine Gonzalez needs a couple more days to heal after checking with him Friday, putting him back on the injured list could become an option.
The club could date the move to July 3. He would be eligible to come off the IL on July 12.
Gonzalez is batting .250 with nine homers and 26 RBI. His switch hitting and ability to play all over the field provide Baldelli roster and lineup flexibility.
There are a few other Twins players who are banged up and are looking toward the All-Star break as an opportunity to recharge.
"I would say it was definitely challenging in some ways, this road trip," Baldelli said. "We don't make excuses, but physically our guys are out there battling and we have very few guys I would say at full strength right now, so our guys are just going out there and giving it everything that they have."
