Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau was released Monday from a Miami hospital, but isn't going on the disabled list.
"That has never been talked about," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, hinting that the slugger could return either Wednesday or Thursday "if he feels up to it."
Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C., tops the Twins with 20 homers.
(Kathy Willens/Associated Press)
Morneau, from New Westminster, B.C., was hospitalized last Friday following a collision with catcher Miguel Olivo as he tried to score from first base on Jason Kubel's pinch-hit double in the eighth inning of a 5-4 loss to the Florida Marlins.
"It was a little scary," Gardenhire said. "He had nowhere to go.
"He just had to try to go through him. It wasn't a violent collision; it hit him in a bad spot."
Morneau began coughing up blood and later was diagnosed with a bruised right lung, ending his consecutive games played streak at 191.
"Everything checked out fine," Gardenhire told reporters prior to Monday's home game versus the Toronto Blue Jays.
"Now it is going to depend on how sore he is, and when he can get out in the field. As long as it continues on the path he is on, it's fine."
Morneau was voted the American League's most valuable player last season and hasn't missed a beat this season, averaging .278 with 20 home runs, 57 runs batted in and 51 runs scored in 71 games.
The 25-year-old is a .277 hitter with 99 HRs, 340 RBIs and 262 runs in 483 games since making his major-league debut with the Twins on June 10, 2003.
With files from the Associated Press
