With Stewart out, prospect gets another shot at majors

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

Jason Kubel is back in the majors. And this time, the Twins' top hitting
prospect says he isn't looking over his shoulder.

"I feel more relaxed about it now," said Kubel, who was recalled from
Class AAA Rochester on Monday to replace injured left fielder Shannon
Stewart. "I feel like I'm ready. Nothing's going to bother me this time."

Stewart was put on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis in his
left foot after team physician Dr. John Steubs discovered a slight tendon
tear. The veteran leadoff hitter missed two months of the 2004 season with
a similar injury to his right foot.

But general manager Terry Ryan believes Stewart will be ready to return to
the lineup when he is eligible to come off the disabled list June 4.
Stewart, who has a history of injuries since coming to the Twins in a July
2003 trade, last played Friday in Milwaukee.

"It's not good," Ryan said of Stewart's latest injury. "But this one
doesn't seem to be of that (2004) nature. He wanted to play through it. We
said, 'Nope, we're going to get you right.' "

The Twins now will count on their top hitting and pitching prospects — in
addition to another rookie pitcher — to help dig them out of a
double-digit hole in the American League Central Division standings. Kubel
arrives after a weekend series at Milwaukee in which hotshot left-hander
Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser bolstered the beleaguered starting
rotation.

Kubel, who turns 24 on Thursday, will again be given the opportunity to
prove himself after he spent the first two weeks of the season with the
Twins. Returning this season after missing the 2005 season to recover from
a knee injury, Kubel made the team out of spring training because veteran
outfielder Ruben Sierra was hurt. Kubel batted only .188 (3 for 16) in
seven games, including an Opening Day start in right field.

"I didn't expect to make it out of spring training," Kubel said. "I always
had that thought (of getting sent to the minors) in the back of my mind."

But, Kubel said, he won't worry about his job status once Stewart is ready
to return.

"I'm not going to let it affect how I play this time," Kubel said.

Kubel is viewed as the right fielder of the future. And if he proves
himself during this go-round, the Twins could have a surplus of
outfielders.

Stewart, who is batting .298 this season and has been one of the Twins'
most consistent hitters since arriving from Toronto, is in the final year
of his contract.

With a .338 batting average this month, Michael Cuddyer has solidified
himself in right field and in the fifth spot in the order. He's into the
arbitration years now — he's making $1.3 million this season — and a
breakout season could drive up his salary.

Manager Ron Gardenhire reiterated last weekend that he believes Kubel will
help the Twins at some point this season. And the only way Kubel is going
to do that is by playing regularly, although Gardenhire mentioned he might
platoon Kubel and Lew Ford in Stewart's absence.

Ryan said he believes Kubel will fare better with the Twins this time
because Kubel was able to develop a rhythm as an everyday player with
Rochester. Kubel, who played a lot in left field during spring training,
batted .283 with four home runs, two triples and seven doubles in 30 games
with Rochester. He also had 22 RBIs.

The time in the minors also has helped Kubel to overcome any fears about
his surgically reconstructed left knee.

"It's fine," Kubel said. "I now know I can do stuff and it won't mess it
up."

Posted on Tue, May. 23, 2006