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The Minnesota Twins are sounding optimistic about getting one of their big bats back for the 2012 season. Lamar Miller Elite Jersey . New Westminster B.C.s Justin Morneau – who was limited to just 69 games in 2011 due to a concussion and an injured wrist – may be on-track to start the year, according to the teams general manager. In an interview with the Minnesota Star-Tribune Twins GM Terry Ryan said the one-time American League MVP is making progress. "Hes been in the ballpark here this past week every morning," Ryan told the Star-Tribune. "Hes working hard. Hes on about the right schedule. Hell start to swing a bat here in probably another 10 days to two weeks." Ryans comments came in response to an MLB.com interview with Morneau where the slugger acknowledged his continuing struggles with post-concussion symptoms. Ryan was candid about the information Morneau revealed. "It didnt surprise me," he told the Star-Tribune. "The facts that came out." Morneau has struggles with injuries over the past two seasons. He has been limited to 150 games over the two seasons combined and saw his batting average, slugging percentage and OPS take sharp declines in the limited action he saw in 2011. His injuries - combined with the mounting injuries to 2009 AL MVP Joe Mauer, who dressed for just 82 games last season – led to the Twins posting their worst record since 1995 and finishing in the AL Central cellar. Still, Ryan tempered his own optimism with a wait-and-see approach to Morneaus prospects for 2011. "Im not saying hes OK," Ryan said. "I dont think anybody will be able to make that statement until we get to Fort Myers and put him through the repetitions and the heat and the bus trips and so forth that are going to be an everyday occurrence for him and every player." Lamar Miller Womens Jersey . Lowry led the Raptors to a 3-1 week, averaging 25.0 points per game, 8.0 assists and 2.3 steals. Ryan Tannehill Elite Jersey . Mata had already been dropped from Spains squad once this season and with the country blessed with so many playmakers, he was in real danger of being overlooked for the trip to Brazil to defend their title.NEW ORLEANS - The Toronto Raptors were without Jonas Valanciunas on Wednesday for their game in New Orleans against the Pelicans. Valanciunas, who left Tuesdays loss to the Hawks late in the third quarter with a lower back sprain, missed his first game of the season. Head coach Dwane Casey announced the news an hour and a half prior to tip-off. "His back is still tight," Casey said. "[He] wasnt able to get it loose. (Director of Sports Science) Alex (McKechnie) put him through some preliminary work and it still was tight so hes going to be out." Valanciunas sustained the injury turning to set a screen, feeling immediate pain in his lower back before McKechnie and the Raptors training staff made the call to pull him from the game. After navigating through a mini-slump to close the month of February, the Raptors sophomore centre had been playing some of his best basketball of the season over the past week. Getting off to hot starts in each of hiss last three games, Valanciunas has totalled 34 points on 14-of-20 shooting in the first quarter of those contests. Dan Marino Black Jersey. The Raptors were already undermanned in the frontcourt, missing Patrick Patterson for a seventh straight game Wednesday. He is expected to be out at least another week resting an elbow injury. Tyler Hansbrough started in place of Valanciunas. Both he and Chuck Hayes will see increased playing time as long as the teams starting centre in sidelined. Amir Johnson also played against the Pelicans after tweaking a lingering right ankle injury at the end of regulation in Tuesdays overtime loss. "Weve been very fortunate not to have that many injuries up until this part of the season," said Casey. "A lot of teams had them earlier and its unfortunate were hitting them now but its part of the NBA. Now weve got to adjust to it and make hay from it." Valanciunas is considered day-to-day. Wholesale Jerseys ' ' ' |
