Minnesota Twins to Play Without Morneau
Friday, 18. September 2009
The Minnesota Twins’ diminishing playoff aspirations took another hit Tuesday when it was announced that All-Star 1B Justin Morneau will be sidelined the remainder of the year.
Morneau has been fighting back pain for weeks, but a CT scan along with an MRI on Monday revealed that he has a crack in his lower back.
The condition doesn’t figure to need surgery. Physicians have informed Morneau to relax the back for the next 3 month|fall season.
Morneau wounded himself on a headfirst slide into 1st base on Friday and hasn’t yet played ever since.
Before last week’s accident, the slugging 1st baseman had previously been playing through pain off and on for a good deal of time. Accordingly, his numbers have declined mightily; Morneau was hitting just .077 in the current month to lower his 2009 batting average to .274. Before this slump, he had been batting above the .300 figure. Having gotten only 9 hits over a duration of 22 games, it was clear that something was wrong.
“You can play with the discomfort if you feel as if you are helping the team or doing things to help your teammates out and victory contests,” Morneau insisted. “When you go out there and you don’t feel as if you are helping everyone, that is when you have to take a step back and say, ‘Okay, perhaps I’m doing more harm than good.’ ”
Despite his struggles of late, Morneau finishes the 2009 season with 30 homers and one hundred RBIs. The home run total is higher than his ‘08 total of 23.
Michael Cuddyer figures to turn out to be the primary 1st baseman in Morneau’s lack.
Despite the injury, Morneau remains positive regarding the Twins’ chances the rest of the season.
“Hopefully I’ll watch the guys go on a run here and act as cheerleader and that is about it,” Morneau said.
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