Twins notes: Morneau has bad run of luck

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- The offseason wasn't kind to first baseman Justin Morneau, who will arrive at Twins spring training camp sometime this week coming off various illnesses.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said that since last season ended, Morneau had appendicitis, chicken pox and a lung infection that led to pneumonia.

"He's been sicker than a dog all winter long," Gardenhire said. "He's got to be behind. There's no doubt in my mind."

The club wanted to fly Morneau into camp over the weekend, but he was too sick to travel. Not good for someone expected to start at first base and hit at least 30 homers.

"He's had a heck of a winter," Gardenhire said. "We have to see how he is."

History suggests that Morneau should consider freezing himself in November and thawing out in February. A viral infection during the 2002 offseason caused him to lose 20 pounds. He then suffered a broken toe just before camp in 2003, causing Gardenhire to nickname him "Mour-toe."

Tickets sales brisk

Pat Creem, who fills several administrative roles for the team during spring training, said ticket sales for spring games are 27 percent ahead of last year's pace, and that six games are sold out.

Even with the improvement, it pales to the Red Sox, who have sold out every spring game.

Etc.

Twins coaches, medical staff and front office staff met Sunday night to go over spring training plans, including how to monitor catcher Joe Mauer as he returns from knee surgery. "We will see how he get through things," Gardenhire said.

Nick Punto, who might start at shortstop, arrived Sunday and worked out on the field.

Former Twins and A's standout Terry Steinbach will report to camp this week to work out with the catchers. Like last year, he will run a drill in which catchers receive throws from the outfield while he throws a tackling dummy at them to simulate collisions. "We're calling the dummy "Koskie" this year," Gardenhire said.

Gardenhire stressed that righthander Joe Mays' pre-camp throwing will not move him ahead of other pitchers the first couple weeks of camp. "He will be on our program," Gardenhire said. Mays, who had Tommy John surgery in September of 2003, is apparently healthy and itching to prove it.