J.J. Hardy (wrist) still a bit sore, but may return Tuesday

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins starting shortstop J.J. Hardy, who has been sidelined since May 4 with a bone bruise in his left wrist, said before Sunday's game that he still feels some soreness, but hopes to return to action on Tuesday when the Twins begin a three-game home series against the Yankees.

Here are the bullet points of what Hardy said Sunday:

- He took batting practice around 10:00 a.m., and he said the wrist feels "pretty good," but also said he still feels some soreness when his bat crosses through the hitting zone on full-power swings. If he takes "four or five" swings and rests, Hardy said the soreness is tolerable. If he takes "15 swings" in a row, Hardy said the wrist would hurt "pretty bad" toward the end of the session.

- Hardy said it's possible the soreness could linger for a while, but he's working with the training staff to figure out if A.) he could play through it without any further damage, because right now it's just a bone bruise with no structural damage, and B.) if he can tolerate the soreness without it affecting his productivity.

- There is no swelling in Hardy's wrist, but the soreness has remained status quo for the last few days.

- Hardy said the wrist (glove hand) feels fine when fielding grounders.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Hardy will come in and do some work Monday before the team makes a decision on his availability Tuesday.

"I think he's starting to feel like it could be Tuesday," Gardenhire said. "I think Tuesday is a big day. He'll come in and do something on Monday, whether it have to be (that) he come in and we throw him some (batting practice), or whatever we have to do Monday morning and get him some work in."

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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