Justin Morneau

Minnesota's Justin Morneau was back out on the field, taking ground balls and getting in some swings Saturday morning. But Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire officially confirmed what Morneau had indicated Thursday, that the first baseman will not be included on the roster for the American League division series. Morneau had worked out extensively before Thursday's game, but took things easy Friday. Although the Twins didn't take batting practice Saturday, the club set up an extra session of hitting and infield so that Morneau and a couple of other players could get in some work.

- With the Dodgers appearing reluctant to meet the Chicago Cubs' asking price for potential two-month rental pitcher Ryan Dempster , they could soon turn their focus to players they could retain beyond this season. Two players on the Dodgers' radar are first baseman Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins and pitcher James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays, according to people familiar with the team's thinking. The Dodgers aren't actively negotiating deals for Morneau or Shields, one of the people said.

- With the Dodgers appearing reluctant to meet the Chicago Cubs' asking price for potential two-month rental pitcher Ryan Dempster , they could soon turn their focus to players they could retain beyond this season. Two players on the Dodgers' radar are first baseman Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins and pitcher James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays, according to people familiar with the team's thinking. The Dodgers aren't actively negotiating deals for Morneau or Shields, one of the people said.

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley said Monday he was confident he won't need surgery on an injured knee that has kept him off the field all of spring training, but he wouldn't speculate on when he could return. "Right now there is no timetable," Utley said. "I think we've been pretty patient with it, and I think we're going to continue to. I think that's the smart thing to do and we're going to stay on that track. " Utley, who had remained quiet about his status since early March, said he has not returned to running but has been taking ground balls for several days.

The injury-plagued Minnesota Twins got a dose of encouraging news Thursday when Joe Mauer , who sat out for 10 days because of tissue inflammation in his left knee, started against the Toronto Blue Jays as the designated hitter. He is expected to be the starting catcher Friday. Shortstop J.J. Hardy , who had missed the previous four games because of a swollen left knee, also started. Meanwhile, first baseman Justin Morneau took batting and fielding practice as he continues to recover from postconcussion syndrome.

* Minnesota 4, at Cleveland 2: Justin Morneau sparked a two-run, ninth-inning rally with a run-scoring double and the Twins pulled to within 2 1/2 games of first-place Chicago in the American League Central. * at Kansas City 6, Tampa Bay 1: Billy Butler homered and drove in four runs, Kyle Davies (4-2) picked up his first victory in more than a month and the Royals earned a split of the four-game series.

DETROIT -- Justin Morneau narrowly missed one home run Thursday afternoon. He took advantage of a second chance. Three innings after hitting a 425-foot double to the deepest part of Comerica Park, Morneau lined an 11th-inning homer to right against Freddy Dolsi with one out to give the Minnesota Twins a 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers. "I was looking for something to drive, and I just got enough of it," he said. "That was a pretty good feeling rounding the bases."

Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, recovering from a bruised right lung he suffered Friday after running into Florida Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo, was released from a Miami-area hospital Monday and planned to return to the Twin Cities. The Twins plan to run some tests on Morneau today to see how his body reacted to the flight back from Florida.

YANKEES VS. TWINS Game 1: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. PDT New York (CC Sabathia, 21-7, 3.18) at Minnesota (Francisco Liriano, 14-10, 3.62) Game 2: Thursday, 3 p.m. New York (Andy Pettitte, 11-3, 3.28) at Minnesota (Carl Pavano, 17-11, 3.75) Game 3: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Minnesota (Brian Duensing, 10-3, 2.62) at New York (Phil Hughes, 18-8, 4.19) Game 4: Sunday, TBA Minnesota (Nick Blackburn, 10-12, 5.42) at New York (Sabathia) Game 5: Oct. 12, TBA New York (Pettitte)

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley said Monday he was confident he won't need surgery on an injured knee that has kept him off the field all of spring training, but he wouldn't speculate on when he could return. "Right now there is no timetable," Utley said. "I think we've been pretty patient with it, and I think we're going to continue to. I think that's the smart thing to do and we're going to stay on that track. " Utley, who had remained quiet about his status since early March, said he has not returned to running but has been taking ground balls for several days.

YANKEES VS. TWINS Game 1: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. PDT New York (CC Sabathia, 21-7, 3.18) at Minnesota (Francisco Liriano, 14-10, 3.62) Game 2: Thursday, 3 p.m. New York (Andy Pettitte, 11-3, 3.28) at Minnesota (Carl Pavano, 17-11, 3.75) Game 3: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Minnesota (Brian Duensing, 10-3, 2.62) at New York (Phil Hughes, 18-8, 4.19) Game 4: Sunday, TBA Minnesota (Nick Blackburn, 10-12, 5.42) at New York (Sabathia) Game 5: Oct. 12, TBA New York (Pettitte)

Minnesota's Justin Morneau was back out on the field, taking ground balls and getting in some swings Saturday morning. But Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire officially confirmed what Morneau had indicated Thursday, that the first baseman will not be included on the roster for the American League division series. Morneau had worked out extensively before Thursday's game, but took things easy Friday. Although the Twins didn't take batting practice Saturday, the club set up an extra session of hitting and infield so that Morneau and a couple of other players could get in some work.

The injury-plagued Minnesota Twins got a dose of encouraging news Thursday when Joe Mauer , who sat out for 10 days because of tissue inflammation in his left knee, started against the Toronto Blue Jays as the designated hitter. He is expected to be the starting catcher Friday. Shortstop J.J. Hardy , who had missed the previous four games because of a swollen left knee, also started. Meanwhile, first baseman Justin Morneau took batting and fielding practice as he continues to recover from postconcussion syndrome.

Joe Mauer sat behind a table on a podium in a conference room at the Metrodome when Justin Morneau shouted out the last question of the day. "Are you finally going to buy dinner now?" Morneau said to his teammate from the audience, one MVP to another. Mauer became only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, finishing first in a near-unanimous vote Monday. The Minnesota Twins star received 27 of 28 first-place votes and 387 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Assn.

Matt Holliday hit a tying grand slam in the seventh inning and Jack Cust followed with another shot, helping the Oakland Athletics rally from a 10-run deficit to beat the Minnesota Twins, 14-13, in a slugfest Monday night that featured eight homers. Holliday also had a two-run homer in the largest comeback in Oakland history. The franchise's most famous rally came when the Philadelphia A's trailed 8-0 in Game 4 of 1929 World Series before scoring 10 runs in the seventh to beat the Cubs 10-8.

* Minnesota 4, at Cleveland 2: Justin Morneau sparked a two-run, ninth-inning rally with a run-scoring double and the Twins pulled to within 2 1/2 games of first-place Chicago in the American League Central. * at Kansas City 6, Tampa Bay 1: Billy Butler homered and drove in four runs, Kyle Davies (4-2) picked up his first victory in more than a month and the Royals earned a split of the four-game series.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Justin Morneau sits quietly in his clubhouse chair, a picture of serenity on the eve of the Minnesota Twins' first full-squad workout. He chirps at teammates as they pass by with a wry grin on his face, communicating with a soft voice and a Canadian cool that allows him to blend in with a young, rebuilding team. It's a much different atmosphere these days after the departure of three beloved leaders who spiced up the locker room with their belly laughs, practical jokes and dramatic performances.

DETROIT -- Justin Morneau narrowly missed one home run Thursday afternoon. He took advantage of a second chance. Three innings after hitting a 425-foot double to the deepest part of Comerica Park, Morneau lined an 11th-inning homer to right against Freddy Dolsi with one out to give the Minnesota Twins a 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers. "I was looking for something to drive, and I just got enough of it," he said. "That was a pretty good feeling rounding the bases."