SiouxDoo
09-27-2004, 01:37 PM
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/min/news/min_news.jsp?ymd=20040926&content_id=871621&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp
Notes: Rivas likely needs surgery
Infielder diagnosed with loose bone chips in elbow
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- Twins second baseman Luis Rivas was diagnosed with loose bone chips in his right elbow, and he received a cortisone shot Sunday to stop the pain.
"It's going to help," said Rivas about getting the shot. "I want to play. Whatever it takes to feel better, I'll do it."
Rivas was 5-for-13 (.385) on the road trip.
The diagnosis definitely wasn't the news manager Ron Gardenhire hoped to hear as he tries to keep everyone healthy heading into the playoffs. Gardenhire learned Saturday that left fielder and leadoff man Shannon Stewart has a tight hamstring and only recently got first baseman Justin Morneau back in action after he received a cortisone shot last week.
"The hits just keep on going," Gardenhire sighed.
Rivas is expected to miss three to four games at the minimum and will likely need surgery after the season to remove the chips.
"We think it's something he can play with," Gardenhire said. "At the end of the season, he can get something done."
Rivas repercussions: If Rivas can't play, a few more postseason roster questions suddenly pop up.
Does it guarantee a spot for infielder Augie Ojeda? Would injured utility man Nick Punto be activated? What about Terry Tiffee?
Ojeda, who entered the day hitting .353, started for Rivas at second base and can also play shortstop and third base.
Punto, on the DL recovering from a fractured clavicle, is trying to get himself ready. But a plan to get him into some instructional league games this week in Florida has been put on hold because of Hurricane Jeanne and phyisical concerns.
Gardenhire was already skeptical about whether Punto's clavicle was sound enough to handle a diving play or collision.
"I don't look for him to be in the first round," Gardenhire said. "It's not happening for me. If he makes it for the second round, that would be wonderful."
The rookie Tiffee, who already is less than 100 percent with a separated right shoulder, spent Sunday on the training table with a sore back.
"I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do," Gardenhire said about the injury uncertainty. "I might be forced into an issue with one of these guys."
Kubel starts: Rookie Jason Kubel got another start Sunday, this time in place of Stewart in left field. Kubel entered the day batting .344 over his last 12 games with an at-bat. With rookie Joe Mauer appearing unlikely to participate in the first round, Kubel's chances of making it on the roster as a pinch-hitter have improved.
"Anywhere is fine if I can help out," said Kubel, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 31, in time to be eligible for the postseason. "I've got a good shot. I'm doing pretty good now."
Kubel batted .343 at Rochester this season after hitting .377 for Double-A New Britain.
More bruises: The Twins' manager himself is part of the walking wounded. Gardenhire is hurting with a bruised calf that's prevented him from being able to walk out to the mound and make pitching changes.
Gardenhire was struck in the leg by a Michael Cuddyer line drive during batting practice Saturday. Joe Mauer was fielding grounders in front of the manager at third base. When Cuddyer's sharp hit came their way, the rookie pulled his glove back at the last second.
A sheepish Mauer later tried to apologize.
"Get out of my office!" Gardenhire jokingly barked back.
90 wins: With a 6-2 win over Cleveland on Sunday, the Twins are 90-66. It made Gardenhire the seventh manager in Major League history to record at least 90 wins in each of his first three seasons. The Mets' Davey Johnson (1984-86) was the last to accomplish the feat.
The coaching staff celebrated the achievement. "We think that's a pretty big deal to tell you the truth," Gardenhire said. "To do that, you have to have good players. And not all those guys have been through them all. We've had a lot of turnover and that makes it even more special."
Notes: Rivas likely needs surgery
Infielder diagnosed with loose bone chips in elbow
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- Twins second baseman Luis Rivas was diagnosed with loose bone chips in his right elbow, and he received a cortisone shot Sunday to stop the pain.
"It's going to help," said Rivas about getting the shot. "I want to play. Whatever it takes to feel better, I'll do it."
Rivas was 5-for-13 (.385) on the road trip.
The diagnosis definitely wasn't the news manager Ron Gardenhire hoped to hear as he tries to keep everyone healthy heading into the playoffs. Gardenhire learned Saturday that left fielder and leadoff man Shannon Stewart has a tight hamstring and only recently got first baseman Justin Morneau back in action after he received a cortisone shot last week.
"The hits just keep on going," Gardenhire sighed.
Rivas is expected to miss three to four games at the minimum and will likely need surgery after the season to remove the chips.
"We think it's something he can play with," Gardenhire said. "At the end of the season, he can get something done."
Rivas repercussions: If Rivas can't play, a few more postseason roster questions suddenly pop up.
Does it guarantee a spot for infielder Augie Ojeda? Would injured utility man Nick Punto be activated? What about Terry Tiffee?
Ojeda, who entered the day hitting .353, started for Rivas at second base and can also play shortstop and third base.
Punto, on the DL recovering from a fractured clavicle, is trying to get himself ready. But a plan to get him into some instructional league games this week in Florida has been put on hold because of Hurricane Jeanne and phyisical concerns.
Gardenhire was already skeptical about whether Punto's clavicle was sound enough to handle a diving play or collision.
"I don't look for him to be in the first round," Gardenhire said. "It's not happening for me. If he makes it for the second round, that would be wonderful."
The rookie Tiffee, who already is less than 100 percent with a separated right shoulder, spent Sunday on the training table with a sore back.
"I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do," Gardenhire said about the injury uncertainty. "I might be forced into an issue with one of these guys."
Kubel starts: Rookie Jason Kubel got another start Sunday, this time in place of Stewart in left field. Kubel entered the day batting .344 over his last 12 games with an at-bat. With rookie Joe Mauer appearing unlikely to participate in the first round, Kubel's chances of making it on the roster as a pinch-hitter have improved.
"Anywhere is fine if I can help out," said Kubel, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 31, in time to be eligible for the postseason. "I've got a good shot. I'm doing pretty good now."
Kubel batted .343 at Rochester this season after hitting .377 for Double-A New Britain.
More bruises: The Twins' manager himself is part of the walking wounded. Gardenhire is hurting with a bruised calf that's prevented him from being able to walk out to the mound and make pitching changes.
Gardenhire was struck in the leg by a Michael Cuddyer line drive during batting practice Saturday. Joe Mauer was fielding grounders in front of the manager at third base. When Cuddyer's sharp hit came their way, the rookie pulled his glove back at the last second.
A sheepish Mauer later tried to apologize.
"Get out of my office!" Gardenhire jokingly barked back.
90 wins: With a 6-2 win over Cleveland on Sunday, the Twins are 90-66. It made Gardenhire the seventh manager in Major League history to record at least 90 wins in each of his first three seasons. The Mets' Davey Johnson (1984-86) was the last to accomplish the feat.
The coaching staff celebrated the achievement. "We think that's a pretty big deal to tell you the truth," Gardenhire said. "To do that, you have to have good players. And not all those guys have been through them all. We've had a lot of turnover and that makes it even more special."