The Minnesota Twins' fading playoff aspirations took one more hit on Tuesday when it was reported that All-Star first baseman Justin Morneau will miss the remainder of the year.
Morneau has been battling back pain for weeks, although a CT scan along with an MRI on Monday indicated that he has a crack in his lower back.
The injury does not figure to need surgery. Doctors have informed Morneau to rest his back for the next three month|fall season.
Morneau wounded himself on a diving slide into first base on Friday and has not played since.
Prior to this past week's injury, the powerful first baseman had previously been playing through pain off and on for a fair amount of time. Consequently, his numbers have declined mightily; Morneau was hitting just .077 in the month of September to descend his season batting average to .274. Before this dip, he was batting above the .300 mark. Having gotten only nine hits over a span of 22 games, it was apparent that something was wrong.
"You can play with the pain if you feel like you're helping the franchise or doing things to help your colleagues out and victory ballgames," Morneau insisted. "When you play and you do not feel like you're helping everyone, that's when you have to take a step back and say, 'All right, perhaps I am doing more damage than good.' "
In spite of his struggles lately, Morneau ends the 2009 season with 30 homers and one hundred runs batted in. The home run output is higher than his '08 total of 23.
Michael Cuddyer should turn into the primary first baseman in Morneau's lack.
Despite the condition, Morneau happens to be positive about the Twins' chances the rest of the season.
"Hopefully I'll see the guys embark on a run here and play cheerleader and that's," Morneau claimed.
Morneau has been battling back pain for weeks, although a CT scan along with an MRI on Monday indicated that he has a crack in his lower back.
The injury does not figure to need surgery. Doctors have informed Morneau to rest his back for the next three month|fall season.
Morneau wounded himself on a diving slide into first base on Friday and has not played since.
Prior to this past week's injury, the powerful first baseman had previously been playing through pain off and on for a fair amount of time. Consequently, his numbers have declined mightily; Morneau was hitting just .077 in the month of September to descend his season batting average to .274. Before this dip, he was batting above the .300 mark. Having gotten only nine hits over a span of 22 games, it was apparent that something was wrong.
"You can play with the pain if you feel like you're helping the franchise or doing things to help your colleagues out and victory ballgames," Morneau insisted. "When you play and you do not feel like you're helping everyone, that's when you have to take a step back and say, 'All right, perhaps I am doing more damage than good.' "
In spite of his struggles lately, Morneau ends the 2009 season with 30 homers and one hundred runs batted in. The home run output is higher than his '08 total of 23.
Michael Cuddyer should turn into the primary first baseman in Morneau's lack.
Despite the condition, Morneau happens to be positive about the Twins' chances the rest of the season.
"Hopefully I'll see the guys embark on a run here and play cheerleader and that's," Morneau claimed.
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