Kubel, Ford to duel with Cuddyer injured

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The position battle in right field could intensify
during the next few days.

An examination Tuesday determined Michael Cuddyer has a strained abdominal
muscle, and the front-runner to be the Twins' Opening Day starter might be
out until at least the weekend.

"It's nothing serious," general manager Terry Ryan said. "We'll give him a
few days off, then see where we're at."

Cuddyer began to feel pain in his left side last weekend and aggravated
the area while making a throw during Monday's game against Philadelphia.
He said he feels pain only while throwing and running, and he could
benefit from a break in the spring training schedule. The team was off
Tuesday and will play tonight against Cincinnati.

But such injuries have a tendency to linger, and this is a critical
roster-deciding time with less than two weeks remaining until the season
opener.

Cuddyer, hitting .500 (14 for 28), has clearly set himself apart from
Jason Kubel and Lew Ford in the competition to replace departed veteran
Jacque Jones.

If Cuddyer's injury lingers into next week, he might have to start the
season on the disabled list. Kubel would seem to be next in line, although
the organization's top hitting prospect has hit a lull in his comeback
season from knee surgery. He is hitless in his past three games, dropping
his spring average to .222 (8 for 36).

The organization views Ford mostly as a fourth outfielder. He is batting
just .226 (7 for 31).

Another player the Twins view as an extra outfielder almost certainly will
begin the season on the disabled list. Ruben Sierra, who was signed mainly
to be a pinch-hit specialist, injured his right quadriceps Sunday, and
Ryan said he wasn't optimistic the aging slugger would be ready to return
by the April 4 opener at Toronto.

Spring debut: Top pitching prospect Francisco Liriano is scheduled to make
his much-anticipated spring training debut tonight. He is expected to
throw at least one inning of relief.

Scott Baker, competing with fellow rookie Liriano for the fifth spot in
the starting rotation, is scheduled to start. Baker, the front-runner, is
1-0 with a 2.84 earned-run average in four Grapefruit League starts.

Liriano is back in camp after missing 2 1/2 weeks to participate in the
World Baseball Classic. He has little time to prove himself for an Opening
Day roster spot but should get at least one start.

Posted on Wed, Mar. 22, 2006