Tagged: Justin Morneau
Morneau gets a breather
UPDATE: Jason Kubel was scratched from today’s lineup with a sore neck. Kubel was originally in the lineup in right field and Denard Span in center. But Carlos Gomez is now in the lineup at CF and Span shifts to RF.
Justin Morneau is not in the lineup today as he’s battling a stiff back and a sore wrist, manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Morneau dove head-first into first base on Friday night trying to avoid a tag, and Gardenhire thinks that probably took a little toll on the first baseman. Perhaps it’s also a good time to give a mental break to Morneau, who is 3-for-39 (.077) since the start of September.
“He’s your ultimate gamer on the field,” Gardenhire said of Morneau. “He’s really fighting through everything right now.”
Joe Crede is also back in the lineup as the DH for the Twins.
Here are today’s lineups:
A’s (63-77)
4th place in AL West, 21 games back
Rajai Davis, CF
Mark Ellis, 2B
Kurt Suzuki, C
Scott Hairston, LF
Nomar Garciaparra, 1B
Bobby Crosby, 3B
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Landon Powell, C
Cliff Pennington, SS
Pitching: LHP Gio Gonzalez (5-5, 5.76)
Twins (70-72)
3rd place in AL Central, 5.5 games back
Denard Span, RF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Joe Crede, DH
Brendan Harris, 3B
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing (2-1, 3.94)
A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Morneau headed back to Twin Cities
By Kelly Thesier
MLB.com
ARLINGTON — Twins first baseman Justin Morneau left the team today, as he’s headed back to the Twin Cities to see an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Morneau has been bothered by the effects of an inner-ear infection since the team returned from a roadtrip in Detroit. He has not played since Monday due to bouts of dizziness and feeling light-headed over the last few days.
“At times I start to feel better and then it comes back again,” Morneau said.
He was given new medication by the Rangers doctors on Tuesday, but the first baseman did not see any real improvement. So the decision was made to have him go back to Minnesota and see more doctors.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is hopeful that Morneau can join the team this
weekend in Kansas City. But the team has seen how long the effects of an inner-ear infection can linger, as Denard Span battled his symptoms for over a month and required a stint on the disabled list. So there is still a possibility that Morneau could also wind up on the DL.
Morneau seemed frustrated by the whole thing, particularly that it’s come at a time when the team is fighting to stay in the playoff hunt.
With Morneau still out, Michael Cuddyer is at first base for the third straight day. Joe Mauer, who got beat up a little behind the plate and fouled a ball off his foot, is getting a DH day with Mike Redmond behind the plate as they face left-hander Derek Holland.
Also, the name of Jose Mijares’ son is Javier Alejandro Mijares. He was born on Aug. 17 in Venezuela.
Here are today’s lineups:
Twins (57-62)
3rd place in AL Central, 6.5 games back
Denard Span, RF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Mike Redmond, C
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: RHP Anthony Swarzak (3-6, 5.87)
Rangers (67-52)
2nd place in AL West, 6.5 games back (one game back in AL Wild Card)
Julio Borbon, DH
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, RF
Marlon Byrd, CF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Nelson Cruz, RF
Hank Blalock, 1B
Taylor Teagarden, C
Elvis Andrus, SS
Pitching: LHP Derek Holland (6-7, 4.88)
A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Kubel in, Morneau still out
Jason Kubel still had a sleeve on his left knee Wednesday afternoon, but he told manager Ron Gardenhire that he was good enough to play. So Kubel is back in the lineup as the DH.
Carlos Gomez’s hand is also still a little sore after getting hit with a pitch (or not according to the umpires last night), although he said the wrapping around his wrist helped to prevent it from being worse.
Justin Morneau on the other hand is still feeling the lingering effects of his inner ear infection. While doctors have told him that the infection has cleared up, he is still being affected by dizzy spells and feeling lightheaded. It’s as if things are “in slow motion” at times, he said. The hope is that new medication will help Morneau to feel better.
Gardnehire said he’s going to be patient with Morneau and hope that he’s better perhaps tomorrow. It seems that neither Morneau nor Gardenhire want to see the first baseman wind up on the disabled list, so they’ll wait a couple days to see how Morneau is feeling.
Of course there was more talk about Mauer’s incredible run of late, I’ll have more on that later. But here is one impressive note to leave you with — according to the Elais Sports Bureau, Mauer is one of five American League players to have at least 25 home runs and a .380 batting average this late in the season. The others were Ted Williams (1941 and 1957), Joe DiMaggio (1939), Lou Gehrig (1930 and 1936) and Babe Ruth (1931).
Yeah, that’s pretty good company.
Here are today’s lineups:
Twins (57-62)
3rd place in AL Central, 6.5 games back
Denard Span, RF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (10-7, 4.54)
Rangers (67-51)
2nd place in AL West, 5.5 games back (tied for AL Wild Card lead)
Julio Borbon, DH
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, RF
Marlon Byrd, CF
David Murphy, LF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Hank Blalock, 1B
Ivan Rodriguez, C
Elvis Andrus, SS
Pitching: RHP Kevin Millwood (9-7, 3.31)
A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Morneau out of lineup
Justin Morneau was not in the lineup on Tuesday due to the lingering effects of an inner ear infection and he’s officially considered to be day-to-day.
Morneau left Monday night’s contest against the Rangers after the third inning due to dizziness. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Morneau was put on medication for an inner ear infection before the team left Minnesota. He saw the Rangers doctor before the game who concurred with the original diagnosis and Morneau is scheduled to be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
Philip Humber has arrived in Texas and is available out of the bullpen tonight. The right-hander was supposed to start for Rochester today so he’ll be the long relief option if the Twins need one.
Gardenhire said that Thursday’s starter Anthony Swarzak will also be in the ‘pen tonight. Today was Swarzak’s day to throw a side session before his start, but the team will wait and see if they need him as well. If everything goes smoothly, Swarzak will throw his side session during the game in the bullpen.
Also, Brian Duensing is tenatively penciled in to start Saturday in Kansas City. The Twins hope to use the left-hander in that start but will see how the next couple of games go. After all, things have been a bit screwy with the pitching staff of late. Like yesterday when the plan had been to start Duensing against the Rangers on Thursday, but that changed when Francisco Liriano went on the DL with a tired left arm.
Here are today’s lineups:
Twins (56-62)
3rd place in AL Central, 6.5 games back
Denard Span, RF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano (10-9, 5.16)
Rangers (67-50)
2nd place in AL West, 4.5 games back (leading AL Wild Card by 1 game)
Julio Borbon, LF
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, RF
Marlon Byrd, CF
David Murphy, DH
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Hank Blalock, 1B
Taylor Teagarden, C
Omar Vizquel, SS
Pitching: RHP Scott Feldman (9-7, 3.90)
A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
All-Star Selection Sunday
I am currently watching the All-Star Selection Show on TBS as this year’s All-Stars are announced. I’ll have more updates once the show is over…
UPDATE: As expected, Joe Mauer will be the starting catcher for the AL in this year’s contest. Joe Nathan and Justin Morneau were chosen as reserves via the players’ ballot.
During his pre-game session, manager Ron Gardenhire indicated that the Twins starting rotation could be shuffled following Monday’s off day. Right now Scott Baker, Glen Perkins and Anthony Swarzak are in line to pitch against the Yankees but that could be adjusted. I’ll let you know when we find out if it changes.
Mike Redmond was going to try to throw and swing the bat on Sunday morning. Gardenhire said that Redmond wouldn’t have been able to throw from behind the plate if needed on Saturday. The hope is that he’ll be ready to play by Tuesday or the skipper indicated the club might have to think about a roster move.
One roster move that likely won’t happen in the very near future is an increase to 12 pitchers. Gardenhire said there is no one at Triple-A Rochester that’s quite ready to help the club so for now, they’ll stick with their 11-man staff. As for the pitchers who are throwing the best at Rochester, Gardenhire mentioned right-handers Juan Morillo and Rob Delaney.
The Twins also announced Sunday that they had signed left-hander Matthew Bashore, their compensation round pick in this June’s Draft. Bashore was selected No. 46 overall out of Indiana University and will report to rookie league Elizabethon.
Here are the lineups for Sunday’s series finale.
Tigers
Curtis Granderson, CF
Ramon Santiago, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Don Kelly, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Magglio Ordonez, DH
Josh Anderson, RF
Gerald Laird, C
Adam Everett, SS
Pitching: Rick Porcello, RHP
Twins
Denard Span, CF
Brendan Harris, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: Nick Blackburn, RHP
Best 1,2 Punch in Baseball?
According to Tigers manager Jim Leyland, that would be the Twins’ M&M Boys –Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
Leyland was asked on Saturday about his decision to have Joel Zumaya walk the two hitters back-to-back with two outs in the 11th inning of what eventually was an 11-9 win in 16 innings for Detroit.
“I think
it’s the best 1-2 tandem in baseball. I believe that, I really do,” Leyland said of Mauer and Morneau. “They’re so good, and they’re so professional and they’re so smart. They
know what to do, and they never panic. And I said I’m just not going to
let them beat me.
“If we get beat, we get beat, but I’m not going to let
them beat me. And I’m not going to do it the rest of the year, if I can
help it. They’re just too good.”
While Zumaya’s control had not been the best of late, Leyland said he was willing to take the risk of the next batter, Michael Cuddyer, drawing a bases-loaded walk rather than seeing either Mauer or Morneau come up with the winning hit.
“I have as
much respect for those two guys during the course of the game,” Leyland said. “They
remind me a little bit, and Gene Lamont talked a lot about them, of
[Craig] Biggio and [Jeff] Bagwell. The tandem of those guys and how professional they
were, they set the tone for the whole team the way they go about their
business with dignity, the way they work
“Obviously, they’re talented.
They’re special. I can’t think of a better 1-2 punch in baseball. One
guy’s going to put the ball in play all the time for sure, and get
hits. And the other guy, you might strike him out once in a while, but
he’s a big-time RBI guy. This team, to me, has never really gotten the
credit. Somehow they seem to get lost in media attention for whatever
reason.”
Welcoming the leaders to the Dome
The Twins are opening up a three-game set with the Tigers tonight at the Dome. It’s a big series considering that Minnesota is currently three games back of Detroit in the AL Central standings.
Minnesota will be facing left-hander Luke French in his first Major League start. French has made two previous relief appearances for Detroit and did not give up a run over three innings. We’ll have to see how the Twins fare against a young lefty they’ve never seen before — they haven’t exactly been successful in some of those situations in the past.
Both Justin Morneau (tight left groin) and Nick Punto (tight lower back) are in the lineup after leaving Wednesday’s contest due to the injuries. Manager Ron Gardenhire said that both players were fine and that catcher Mike Redmond’s right forearm is still very sore so he’s unlikely to see any action tonight.
Jason Kubel is coming off the bench for the series opener as Delmon Young gets the start at DH. Gardenhire wanted to add one more right-hander in the lineup against the lefty French. So Kubel could provide a little pop off the bench late in the contest.
Here are tonight’s lineups:
Tigers
Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Marcus Thames, DH
Don Kelly, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Josh Anderson, RF
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: Luke French, LHP
Twins
Denard Span, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, DH
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: Kevin Slowey, RHP
So much for a healthy team
The Twins entered Wednesday’s contest against the Royals with what manager Ron Gardenhire called “a healthy lineup.” But three players –Justin Morneau, Nick Punto and Mike Redmond — all left the game due to various injuries.
Redmond left the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning after he was struck by a foul tip in the right forearm. He was having X-rays on the arm, but results were not yet known.
Jose Morales, the Twins No. 3 catcher on the roster, replaced Redmond
behind the plate. Joe Mauer was already in the lineup for the as the
club’s designated hitter.
Justin Morneau and Nick Punto were both taken out of the game after the sixth. Punto left the game with a tight lower back. Morneau left with a tight left groin. Brendan Harris took over at shortstop for Punto and Brian Buscher replaced Morneau at first base.
I’ll have more updates on the injuries after the game.
SI Cover boy, Joe Mauer and Tuesday Lineups: Twins at Brewers
Before I get into today’s baseball news, a little note to Twins fans to check out this week’s Sports Illustrated. Joe Mauer is donning the cover for the second time (he also did so in Aug. 2006). Tom Verducci explores the catcher’s chances of becoming the first player to hit .400 since Ted Williams did in 1941.
As for Twins news today in Milwaukee, manager Ron Gardenhire had to wait a little while to post his lineup today as he was checking up on the health status of a few players. Justin Morneau is back in the lineup after getting a day off on Sunday due to “general soreness.” Nick Punto also returns after missing Sunday’s game with bruised right ribs. Jason Kubel, who left Sunday’s game with flu-like symptoms, is not in the lineup with what the team is calling “general illness.”
The Twins got positive news on Denard Span, who went 1-for-4 in his first rehab game with Triple-A Rochester on Monday night. Gardenhire said that Span didn’t have any recurrences of dizziness, so it sounds like he’ll be activated on Thursday as expected.. (That is of course if everything goes OK in the outfielder’s second rehab game tonight).
The newest member of the Twins bullpen, Bobby Keppel, is also here at Miller Park. He’s expected to be another option for the sixth or seventh inning now that Luis Ayala is no longer there. Speaking of Ayala, Gardenhire let it be known today that the reliever asked for a trade three weeks ago and that helped lead to his departure. More on that later.
Here are today’s lineups:
Twins
Carlos Gomez, CF
Brendan Harris, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Nick Punto, 2B
Francisco Liriano, P
Brewers
Jason Kendall, C
Casey McGehee, 2B
Ryan Braun, LF
Prince Fielder, 1B
Corey Hart, RF
Mike Cameron, CF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Bill Hall, 3B
Jeff Suppan, P
And your center fielder is….Michael Cuddyer
The Twins outfield setup from the final two innings of Wednesday’s game is back for Thursday’s series finale against the A’s.
Michael Cuddyer is getting his first start of the year in center field. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Justin Morneau felt it would be a good day to DH, as he’s been getting beat up a little. And with left-handers hitting .306 vs. A’s starter Trevor Cahill while right-handers have hit just .227, Gardenhire wanted to stack as many lefties in the lineup as possible. So Jason Kubel will be in right field and Brian Buscher will play first base.
This outfield configuration could stick through this weekend for the three-game series at Wrigley Field. Gardenhire said there was no news on what has been causing Denard Span’s dizzy spells. Span saw team physician Dr. Tom Jetzer on Wednesday and was run through a battery of tests but so far nothing has been found. The outfielder is scheduled to see more doctors today. Gardenhire said it’s difficult to imagine that Span would be ready to rejoin the team on Friday as the skipper wants to find out why Span has been dizzy before returns to the lineup.
Gardenhire also said that a roster move should be coming after today’s game to activate Nick Punto (strained right groin) from the disabled list.
Here are today’s lineups as the Twins go for only their second road series win of the season:
Twins
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Brendan Harris, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, DH
Jason Kubel, RF
Joe Crede, 3B
Michael Cuddyer, CF
Brian Buscher, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Pitching: Nick Blackburn, RHP
A’s
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Adam Kennedy, 2B
Jack Cust, RF
Matt Holliday, LF
Jason Giambi, DH
Landon Powell, C
Daric Barton, 1B
Rajai Davis, CF
Jack Hannahan, 3B
Pitching: Trevor Cahill, RHP
Also a reminder that you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier for more Twins updates
Kelly's Corner 