Justin Morneau in his last full game for the Twins, on July 6 at Toronto. He suffered a concussion the following day and hasn't played since.
Slow and steady, but no timetable for Morneau
The first baseman offered some insights into his recovery from a concussion, describing his struggles since getting kneed in the head.
By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune
Last update: August 14, 2010 - 12:24 AM
There are absolutely, positively no indications that Justin Morneau's season is in jeopardy because he hasn't recovered from the concussion he suffered July 7 at Toronto, when he was kneed in the head at second base trying to break up a double play.
But to give you an idea of what his life has been like since then, the Twins All-Star first baseman offered a glimpse Friday at Target Field.
"First it was wake up in the morning and feel good for 10 minutes and the rest of the day, not feel great," he said. "It's gone to wake up in the morning, get here and feel good and then get home and some symptoms come up, that kind of stuff.
"It's been an improvement, a slow, steady improvement. We're still getting that. That's a good sign. When we get through a few days in a row, then we will think about getting back out there and going on a rehab assignment."
After it appeared last week that Morneau was going to work out with the team in Chicago and then head out for a minor league rehabilitation assignment, the Twins have pulled back on any timelines.
"I made the decision the last couple of days, after talking to a number of people, including Justin [and] today with our team doctor, trainer, manager, that we're going to slow the process down," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "I don't think he's ready to go on a rehab assignment. And we as an organization are not prepared to put him out in a game situation until we're 100 percent convinced that he's ready to do that."
So there's no telling when the 2006 American League MVP will return to the lineup and impact the AL Central title race.
From a baseball standpoint, Morneau's lack of significant progress is bad news for the Twins. He was batting .345 with 18 homers and 56 RBI when he suffered the concussion. But there's more at stake in dealing with a head injury. If he still has symptoms, comes back and is hit in the head again, he could be out for an even longer time.
"One of the things that the doctors have been saying is that a concussion you can deal with and get through it," manager Ron Gardenhire said, "but a concussion on top of a concussion is a really bad thing."'
It's been frustrating for Morneau to have a good day, go home thinking he can do more the next day and then be unable to.
He's had to adjust his priorities. Morneau is being so careful that, when asked if he was going to watch the game Friday from the dugout, he was unsure he would be able to. He had to see how he felt after his workout.
"Try to stay positive and try not to be too frustrated," he said, "It's a tough part when you want to be out there. I love playing baseball and I love this organization and will do anything I can to help us win. You feel kind of helpless, but you have to do what is right."