Progress for Twins' Morneau, but no timetable for return

Minnesota's Justin Morneau has made progress in his recovery from a concussion, but the Twins first baseman still does not have a target date for his return.

Morneau played catch and took some swings in the batting cage before Friday's game at Target Field. He told reporters after the light workout that he was feeling fine, and if he's up for it he'll increase his activity on Saturday.

Morneau has been out since taking a knee to the head while sliding into second base on July 7. He first wanted to be back after the All-Star break, and then by July 23 when he was eligible to come off the disabled list. But he's no longer setting goals like that.

"I think that's put more stress on me," Morneau said.

Instead, he's simply taking his comeback one day at a time.

"I've just kind of come to terms with it. We've taken this long, so we're going to wait 'til it's better and we're not going to rush back," Morneau said. "When it's better it's better, and we'll be happy and we'll be out there for the rest of the season playing."

The absence has been frustrating, but it helped last week that he was able to start watching TV again and see the Twins win. He laughed as he recalled hearing announcer Dick Bremer declaring that Morneau must be frustrated having to sit at home and watch while the Twins racked up 19 runs in a win over the Kansas City Royals.

"I was like, 'Why would it be frustrating?"' Morneau said. "It's frustrating watching us lose."

General manager Bill Smith said Morneau will probably need a rehabilitation assignment in the minors before he's cleared to rejoin the Twins. Regular right fielder Michael Cuddyer has been playing first base in his absence.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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