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Aug 7Morneau may return next weekend
MINNEAPOLIS — First baseman Justin Morneau is expected to play in six to eight rehab games with Triple-A Rochester, meaning he could be activated from the disabled list in time for next weekend’s three-game series in Cleveland, according to Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.
If Morneau, who underwent surgery to remove a herniated disk fragment in his neck on June 29, needs more time in the Minors, he could see his return pushed back to Aug. 18, which is the first game of an 11-game homestand.
Morneau played in his second rehab game on Saturday, going 1-for-4 while playing a full nine innings at first base, and is expected to play again Sunday night.
“Justin Morneau did fine last night,” Gardenhire said. “He’ll be back in there again. He went 1-for-4 with a bloop, but his body is doing good and is feeling good.”
Morneau was originally placed on the disabled list retroactive to June 10 with a sprained left wrist, before electing to undergo neck surgery later in the month. He was hitting .225 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 55 games before hitting the disabled list.
Injured second baseman Alexi Casilla, meanwhile, remains on track to be activated from the disabled list once he’s eligible on Friday. He’s made progress with his strained right hamstring suffered on July 27 in Texas.
“He’s going to start running the bases more aggressive as we go along next week, and hopefully by Friday he’ll be able to be activated,” Gardenhire said. “He’s coming along really good, and feels really good.”
(Source: minnesota.twins.mlb.com)
