Twins receive encouraging news on the injury front

Losing five in a row certainly isn't the best way to build momentum in the final week of the regular season, but the Minnesota Twins may be close to getting some of their injured players back.

J.J. Hardy, who flew back to Minneapolis to get his right knee examined earlier in the week, has seen the swelling subside, according to the Star Tribune.

Jim Thome, who flew back to Minneapolis to have his back examined, could start taking batting practice on Thursday when the Twins return home to face the Blue Jays.

And Joe Mauer, sidelined with knee soreness, has been taking batting practice all week, and there's a chance he could actually play on Wednesday.

The losses have piled up. But getting healthy is the most important thing for the Twins, and the news on Hardy, Thome and Mauer is encouraging.

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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