Punto's injury not serious

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Nick Punto, who has complained about lower back pain in the past two weeks, was told by doctors that nothing serious is wrong with him.

This news came after Punto underwent a MRI exam on Wednesday.

"He's still got soreness there," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. "He's got to work through that."

Punto said a sore lower back will not allow him to hit from the left side. Punto, a switch hitter, can bat from his right side with no discomfort.

Punto would make things easier for the Twins by proving during spring training that he can be the everyday shortstop. Free-agent signee Juan Castro is experienced as a backup. Augie Ojeda can field but never has been an every-day player. Rookie Jason Bartlett is likely to eventually become the Twins' starting shortstop, but will start the season in the minors unless he has a knockout spring hitting and fielding.

Morneau can go

Doctors have given first baseman Justin Morneau the go-ahead to increase his activities. Morneau could appear in a game in a few days, a relief to team officials who were worried he would miss at least a week.

Morneau, who batted .271 with 19 homers and 58 RBI in 74 games last season, has dealt with appendicitis, chicken pox, pleurisy and pneumonia.

Morneau has been riding a stationery bike and hitting off a tee, so playing a couple of innings at this point is not too far-fetched.

Mays, Mauer on deck

Twins coaches have been pleased with the way Joe Mays has thrown the ball in camp. And Joe Mauer has breezed through every catching drill.

Each player will take a step forward as the Twins play Toronto at 12:05 p.m. today in their spring home opener. Mays will pitch for the Twins for the first time since September of 2003, when he decided to have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Mauer will catch in a game for the first time since July 11. His season ended soon after that, as he struggled with his recovery from left knee surgery.

Mays and Mauer will be closely watched all spring, as they are keys to the Twins winning a fourth consecutive Central Division title.

Game stuff

Righthander J.D. Durbin took the loss. He loaded the bases in the fourth and was lucky to get out of it with only one run scored.

"He had a good first inning," Gardenhire said. "Then he tried to throw it 100 miles an hour. He got out of that inning nice."

Designated hitter Terry Tiffee hit the ball hard twice and got a long ball to the wall in the ninth that would have been a homer if not for the wind blowing in.

Luis Maza, who went 76 games without committing an error at Class AA New Britain last season, was charged with a throwing error while trying to turn a double play in the eighth. Gardenhire said he felt the baserunner interfered on the play.