Twins Daily: Game with Tribe washed out; Morneau could return Saturday
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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians were rained out on Friday night, marking just the second postponement in the short history of Target Field. A makeup date has not yet been announced.
Health watch
• 1B Justin Morneau called Friday's rainout "a welcome" occurrence for a team looking to get guys healthy. Morneau has missed five games with some aggressive flu symptoms -- and also a sore neck, which he received a cortisone shot for -- but he plans to arrive to the ballpark early on Saturday in hopes of seeing action.
• OF Delmon Young (ribs) felt good swinging in the cage prior to the rainout, according to manager Ron Gardenhire, which means the left fielder is not likely to be placed on the disabled list. An MRI Friday showed no significant damage.
• C Joe Mauer is "still not quite" over his viral infection, which the Twins believe has contributed to his bilateral leg weakness. It's unknown how long Mauer will be sidelined, but he is currently doing pool exercises.
Numbers game
350: Days since the last time a game was rained out at Target Field -- May 7, 2010 against the Baltimore Orioles.
99: Runs scored by the Indians heading into Friday night, which leads the American League.
57: Runs scored by the Twins heading into Friday night, which ranks last in the American League.
Overheard
"That's what happens when you get dehydrated like both of them were and have IVs."
-- Gardenhire, referring to the 10-plus pounds lost by both Mauer and Morneau due to bouts with the flu.
On deck
The Twins and Indians will both use Friday's scheduled starters for Saturday's game -- left-hander Brian Duensing (1-0, 3.60) against right-hander Fausto Carmona (1-2, 4.74).
Coming up
• Sunday: vs. Cleveland, 1:10 p.m. RHP Carl Pavano (1-2, 5.47) vs. Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 4.85).
• Monday: Off.
• Tuesday: vs. Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m. LHP Francisco Liriano (1-3, 7.40) vs. RHP Wade Davis (2-2, 2.73).
