MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will be in the lineup on opening day against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Morneau missed the last three months of the season with a concussion and played in just eight spring training games while working his way back. But Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Thursday that he recently spoke to Morneau, and the former AL MVP said he was ready to go.
Gardenhire said he may give Morneau more rest at the start of this season. With Jim Thome on the bench, he has options for Morneau's cleanup spot when he is not in the lineup.
The Twins open the season on Friday in Toronto. That's where Morneau was injured on July 7 while trying to break up a double play.