Gardy faces decision regarding Morneau

Published May. 14, 2012 7:19 p.m. ET

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MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau took part in live batting practice on Monday as he continues to test his sore left wrist.

After taking about 30-40 swings on the field, Morneau said everything felt good with his wrist. The injury put him on the 15-day disabled list on May 5, although the move is retroactive to May 1.

"It's getting better still," Morneau said of the pain in his wrist. "Whether it'll be gone completely, I don't know. I'm hopeful. As long as I'm able to swing the way I want to swing, it's all that matters. It's what we can deal with."

Morneau is eligible to come off the disabled list on Wednesday, the first day of the Twins' two-game series in Detroit. Neither Morneau nor manager Ron Gardenhire are sure exactly what day Morneau may return to action, however, although he appears close to getting back into the lineup.

"We haven't really discussed that yet," Morneau said. "Today was just the first step in getting out there, swinging and taking batting practice on the field. Hopefully it feels good the rest of the day, go out there tomorrow and do the same thing and figure it out. I don't really have a timeline yet. I'm hopeful it'll be sooner than later, that's for sure."

It's also unclear whether Morneau will first get some games as the designated hitter or will be thrown into the fire at first base. As Morneau continued to come back from numerous injuries earlier this season -- including concussion problems he's dealt with the past two years -- he's spent just four games at first base and 16 at DH in 20 games this year.

"I don't know if it'll actually help (the wrist) stay warm, stay looser, if I am at first," Morneau said. "Who knows. I've got to discuss that with Gardy, see whatever he wants, whatever he feels is the best lineup and whatever allows me to play. Most of the time I'd rather play first, but whatever works best."

One thing's clear, however, Morneau is antsy to get back onto the field.

"And I clearly want him to play," Gardenhire said. "I don't want to wait. It's not about waiting. It's about where he's going to play first, whether he needs at-bats, a couple games to see how everything goes or just step right into the fire against some pretty good Detroit pitching. What do we want to do? . . .

"We'd normally hit in the cages (Tuesday), but I'll have some BP out on the field tomorrow, making sure Justin gets out on the field again tomorrow and then I'll decide what we need to do next."

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