Twins notes: Injured players improving

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Most of the injured Twins players showed improvement Wednesday.

First baseman Justin Morneau was expected to arrive in Fort Myers on Wednesday night, apparently better after being walloped by medical problems during the offseason.

Twins officials said Morneau dealt with appendicitis, a pulled wisdom tooth, chicken pox, pleurisy and pneumonia during the offseason. Morneau has lost weight, but not much, the team was told.

"We'll see how everything is going with him when he gets here," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Lefthander Terry Mulholland, slowed by bronchitis, had chest X-rays taken. They came back normal, but Mulholland will be out a couple more days.

Outfielder Michael Restovich, recovering from a broken right collarbone, also had X-rays taken that came back normal. He will be allowed to increase his on-field activity.

Shortstop Nick Punto, out because of a stiff back, will be held out of on-field activity until Saturday.

Righthander Grant Balfour, dealing with a sore right forearm, can throw on the side but won't be allowed on the mound for a couple more days.

Righthander Jesse Crain, out because of a sore right hamstring, can throw but is being held out of fielding drills for a couple of days.

Torii on television

Torii Hunter, who appears in a current Nike commercial, said it took six hours of filming in San Diego in December to put together his part of a 30-second spot.

Hunter, St. Louis' Albert Pujols and the Yankees' Mariano Rivera are featured in the baseball segment, while Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson and Chicago's Brian Urlacher are featured in the football segment.

"I'm the only one who had to jump," Hunter said of his role in the commercial. "I had to jump like 25 times."

Twins vs. Concordia

The Twins will play Concordia of St. Paul in an exhibition game Wednesday. "That gives a chance for some of the younger guys to get early innings too, which is good," Gardenhire said. "We'll get some swings in. We have plenty of guys. As long as we stay healthy, it'll be fun."

Spring rotation

Kyle Lohse will start the spring training opener against Boston next Thursday, followed by Joe Mays against Toronto on March 4. Brad Radke will start on March 5 either in Fort Myers against Boston or in the other split-squad game at Bradenton against Pittsburgh.

Pitching coach Rick Anderson has set up the rotation so Radke will pitch Opening Day at Seattle on April 4. He will be followed by Johan Santana.