Minnesota Twins reliever Joe Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow, leaving the team without a proven closer less than a month from Opening Day.

Nathan has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and will decide whether to have surgery within two weeks, the team said. The Minneapolis Star Tribune first reported the injury.

The team announced Nathan has a “significant tear,” but will not immediately opt for surgery. He will rest and rehab the elbow over the next one to two weeks, then determine whether he can pitch with the injury.

Nathan may get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, the surgeon who operated on his elbow last October to remove bone chips.

Surgery would likely cost Nathan all of the 2010 season — a potentially devastating turn of events for a team expected to contend in the AL Central Division. Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament have led to season-ending Tommy John surgery for other pitchers.

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

The agent for Dominican shortstop Miguel Sano said the Minnesota Twins have agreed to sign his client for a bonus of $3.15 million.

Sano’s agent, Rob Plummer, said Tuesday that he expects an agreement to be signed this week.

”I’m very thankful to get this chance to sign with the Twins,” Sano said. ”I’m going to work very hard to try to get to the majors in two years.”

Twins General Manager Bill Smith declined comment.

Major League Baseball, as it does with many young Dominican players, investigated Sano’s age and identity earlier this year. His identity was verified, Plummer said, and the age investigation was inconclusive. Sano says he is 16 years old.


Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of Ohio.com

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Word spread quickly through the Minnesota clubhouse before Monday’s game against Cleveland that Justin Morneau would miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his lower back.


Michael Cuddyer, filling in for Morneau at first and in the cleanup spot on Monday night, was among the players who had heard the news before game time. So what did Cuddyer do in place of the All-Star slugger? The new first baseman hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the game, propelling Minnesota to a 6-3 comeback win.

For the rest of the season, much of the time at first base will continue to fall to Cuddyer, who has spent most of his career in right field but has played at almost every position.


Click here to read the full article – By Tyler Mason of MLB.com

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It seemed like the most unenviable of tasks for the Twins. With wins needed in each of the final two contests against the Blue Jays to capture the series victory, the club’s first test came on Wednesday night against Toronto’s ace, Roy Halladay.

Halladay had never lost to the Twins, going 8-0 in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against the club. Minnesota, in fact, was the only American League team that had never beaten him.

But at a time when their postseason hopes are barely being kept alive, entering the day 6 1/2 games back of the Tigers in the AL Central race, the Twins know that almost every game is a must-win. And on Wednesday night, they were finally able to do what they had not done before — beat Halladay.


Click here to read the full article – By Kelly Thesier of MLB.com

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Trying to come up with words to continually describe Joe Mauer’s accomplishments this season has been difficult for his teammates and coaches.


After all, it’s not very often that you see a stretch of baseball — let alone a season — like the one the Twins’ catcher has been putting together.

The 26-year-old entered Wednesday’s contest against the Rangers, batting an American League-leading .383 with 25 homers and 77 RBIs. His 1.101 OPS ranks second in the Majors, behind only Albert Pujols (1.117) and Mauer’s .653 slugging percentage is also second to Pujols’ .676 mark.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Mauer is one of five American League players to have at least 25 home runs and at least a .380 batting average this late in the season. The others were Ted Williams (1941 and 1957), Joe DiMaggio (1939), Lou Gehrig (1930 and 1936) and Babe Ruth (1931).


Click here to read the full article – By Kelly Thesier of MLB.com

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Twins first baseman Justin Morneau left Monday’s 8-5 loss to the Rangers in the fourth inning after experiencing dizziness.


The Twins said that Morneau was removed from the contest for precautionary reasons, but after the contest, manager Ron Gardenhire said the team thinks it might be an inner-ear infection that was causing Morneau’s dizziness.

“He was feeling pretty bad out there,” Gardenhire said. “We got him out of there. He’s day-to-day. See how he’s feeling in the next day or so.”


Click here to read the full article – By Kelly Thesier of MLB.com

Minnesota Twins Sports Memorabilia
and other Minnesota Twins Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Justin Morneau.

Minnesota Twins Sports Memorabilia
and other Minnesota Twins Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Joe Mauer.

The Minnesota Twins made a move to upgrade their middle infield, acquiring shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Oakland Athletics for the stretch run in the crowded AL Central race.

Midseason trades haven’t been much a part of Twins history, but in the last week All-Stars Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan have pined for some action with the division title there for the taking and Mauer’s future beyond next season unsecured. Minnesota was in second place, a half-game ahead of the Chicago White Sox and two games behind Detroit when Friday began.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Hits go-ahead triple in 10th after Monday’s disputed call

As Michael Cuddyer headed to the plate in the 10th inning on Tuesday night, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had just one piece of advice to give him. “Be safe this time,” Gardenhire said. One night after Cuddyer was wrongly called out on a game-ending slide into home plate that would have tied the game, he got his own kind of redemption — driving in the winning run with a triple to center field to help the Twins capture a 3-2 victory over the A’s at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Click here to read the full article – By Kelly Thesier of MLB.com

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