La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune
 
FORT MYERS, FLA. -- The line, uttered by Jason Kubel, sounded strange.

 

Kubel, sidelined for the season after major surgery on his left knee, was on the trainer's trable at the Twins' minor-league complex when he said: "I still feel pretty confident about my swing."

 

He paused for a moment before adding, "Even though I haven't been swinging."

 

Kubel might not be able to swing a bat for another month as he continues his recovery from a massive knee injury suffered during the Arizona Fall League actions last October.

 

Even then, the swings might be only light swings.

 

Kubel, the Twins' top outfield prospect, is not expected to be back until next season. His days consist of seemingly mundane drills, like stepping on boxes or balancing on one leg, all designed to help strengthen his left knee, When you completely tear your anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament, such drills are necessary.

 

Lanning Tucker, the Twins' rehab coordinator, videotapes the drills and send them to the Twin Cities, where the Twins' doctors can monitor Kubel's progress.

 

Kubel left Fort Myers on Tuesday to go home to California, where he will be examined by Dr. James Tibone, who repaired Kubel's knee in December.

 

Kubel, who hit .352 with 22 homers and 100 RBI in Class AA and AAA combined last season, then hit .300 in 23 games with the Twins, remains upbeat.

 

"I'm getting a lot of work done,' he said. "A lot of good can come out of this."

 

 

Relief prospect Travis Bowyer gave up two runs on Thursday as Class AAA Rochester lost 3-1 to Columbus in 11 innings. The runs were the first given up by Bowyer since April 12.

 

Bowyer, who has a 2.14 ERA at Rochester, has hit 99 miles an hour several times on the radar gun this season. On Thursday, with Twins director of minor leagues Jim Rantz and former manager Tom Kelly in the stands, Bowyer consistently hit 97.

 

Bowyer, however needs to improve his breaking ball if he's going to be a factor on the next level.

 

"He's working on it," Rantz said. "But there's no doubt that he's power oriented."

 

 

Righthander Bill Mauer is having shoulder trouble again, and was in the Twin Cities on Friday to be examined by team doctors. Mauer has thrown only 1 1/3 innings for Class A Beloit because of the shoulder problems.

 

This comes less than a week after infielder Jake Mauer, brother of Bill and Twins catcher Joe Mauer, was placed on the disabled list at Class AA New Britain because of a sore elbow.

 

Throw in Joe Mauer's knee problems from last season, and its been a rough year for the St. Paul-born Mauer brothers.

 

 

• Class A Fort Myers lefthander Glen Perkins, a former Gophers star, is hitting 91 miles per hour with his fastball and 80 with his changeup.

 

• The organization remains patient with shortstop Trevor Plouffe, the Twins' first-round pick in last year's draft, who is batting .155 at Beloit and will not change his swing.

 

• Righthander Angel Garcia was in the Twin Cities, along with Mauer, to have his shoulder examined. Garcia, who has had Tommy John elbow surgery, was hitting 95 mph at Beloit.