MLB: Twins state Morneau plans to return this year

The Minnesota Twins said on Wednesday that their star outfielder Justin Morneau plans
to return before the end of the 2010 season. Morneau has not played a game for the Twins
for over two months with concussion syndromes after taking a knee to the head sliding
into second base against the Blue Jays. The injury occurred on July 7th.

Morneau, when he went on the disabled list was batting .345 with 18 homeruns and 56
runs batted in. The 29 year old from Canada is a career .286 batter, and just 14 homeruns
shy of 300 for his career.

To fill in for Morneau, Justin Cuddyer has moved to right field. The Twins currently
hold a 4.5 game lead on the Chicago White Sox for the top spot in the American League
Central.

In early August Morneau took batting practice with the team, but was advised by doctors
to take it very slow. Morneau missed the final three weeks of the 2009 season with a bad
back.