Justin Morneau

Justin Morneau (Twins)

1/27/12 11:10 pm

Justin Morneau said Friday that he still has numbness in his left index finger which may take two years to fully go away.

The numbness in his finger was the result of a nerve problem in his neck which required surgery last June. While Morneau’s concussion symptoms have naturally drawn the most attention, the 30-year-old also underwent knee, foot, and wrist surgeries in 2011. Still, he expects to start hitting long-toss next week and take batting practice when spring training begins next month.

Source: twitter.com

Justin Morneau (Twins)

1/22/12 9:27 am

Justin Morneau hasn’t had any concussion symptoms since December but admits to not knowing how he’ll feel once he’s back on the field.

“I wouldn’t say the head’s perfect yet,” Morneau said. “I’m not going to declare that until I go through fielding ground balls, playing catch, taking batting practice, doing all the baseball stuff. But what I was able to do today is miles ahead of where I was at this time last year.” Morneau also underwent surgeries last year to address wrist, knee and foot injuries, but it’s obviously the concussion issue that looms large. There’s just no way of knowing if he’ll be able to stay symptom-free, which obviously makes him a big fantasy risk.

Source: startribune.com

Justin Morneau (Twins)

1/13/12 9:15 am

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Justin Morneau is “on about the right schedule” and will starting swinging a bat “here in probably another 10 days to two weeks.”

Morneau raised some eyebrows last month when he said in an interview that he was still dealing with post-concussion symptoms and that “something’s not right.” But, while Ryan said Morneau’s statements “didn’t surprise me,” he “wouldn’t get too concerned” about what came out of the interview. “I’m not saying he’s OK,” Ryan said. “I don’t think anybody will be able to make that statement until we get to Fort Myers and put him through the repetitions and the heat and the bus trips and so forth that are going to be an everyday occurrence for him and every player.” Morneau is obviously still a big question mark, and, as Ryan alluded to, we should know more about his status when he goes through the motions in spring training.

Source: startribune.com

Justin Morneau (Twins)

12/31/11 11:44 am

Justin Morneau conceded that he is still recovering from post-concussion syndrome in an interview with MLB Network.

”Something’s not right,” Morneau said. ”You get hit, and the brain gets knocked off a little bit, you feel like you’re half a second off. When you’re trying to hit, it almost makes it impossible to hit. You feel like the ball’s behind you by the time you recognize the pitches.” Morneau is expected to be available to start the season at first base, but the 30-year-old is clearly dealing with a significant injury. He is under contract for the next two seasons for the remaining $14 million on his six-year, $80 million extension.

Source: twincities.com

Justin Morneau (Twins)

12/18/11 10:01 pm

Twins general manager Terry Ryan told Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com that Justin Morneau’s concussions “have not been an issue right now.”

“I think everything’s pointing toward being OK as we go through January and February,” Ryan said. Morneau has missed 201 games the past three seasons and is far from a lock to play even 130 games in 2012. The Twins let insurance policy Jim Thome walk, as well as Morneau’s 2011 plug-in replacement, Michael Cuddyer. Perhaps they truly believe he can avoid the disabled list next season, but, if not, free agent acquisitions Ryan Doumit or Josh Willingham would likely become miscast as first baseman. “I haven’t had any red flags go up,” Ryan said. “You won’t know until we get to Fort Myers and get him out there for a number of games and at-bats, and the repetitions and things that are going to need to be done for him to be confident he’s going to be able to play 140 games or so. … His wrist certainly is healing, and he should start being able to swing the bat here in the next couple weeks.”

Source: 1500espn.com

Justin Morneau (Twins)

12/9/11 8:03 am

Rhett Bollinger from MLB.com reports that Twins manager Ron Gardenhire expects Justin Morneau to start next season at first base.

Gardenhire added that Morneau — along with Joe Mauer and Denard Span — will report to spring training completely healthy. Still, Morneau’s status at first base will hinge largely on his ability to remain healthy. He’s missed 201 games the past three seasons and is far from a lock to play even 130 games in 2012.

Source: twitter.com

Justin Morneau (Twins)

12/1/11 2:35 pm

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com that he wants Justin Morneau to decide soon whether he’ll play first base or DH next season.

“And that’s one of the things that Terry (Ryan) and I talked about, making sure before we get too deep into this (offseason), what we’re going to do with Morneau, where he’s going to play, if it’s DH or first base,” said Gardenhire. “Morneau has to eventually tell us what’s right for him, or I’ll make the decision for him and we’ll go from there.” Morneau, 30, is currently working his way back from concussion symptoms as well as surgeries on his left wrist, right foot and left knee. The Twins aren’t counting on him, but it would certainly seem as though a move to the DH spot would be best for the team, Morneau’s long-term health and fantasy owners alike.

Source: 1500espn.com