Aging former Twins Justin Morneau of the Rockies and Michael Cuddyer of the Mets are doing their best to keep playing the game they love.
Morneau suffered a concussion and a sprained neck diving for a ball against the Angels on May 13. He was originally placed on the 7-day concussion list before ultimately landing on the 60-day disabled list July 7. He told the Denver Post on Monday that he has no plans to retire, despite suffering multiple concussions in the past.
“The neck is more the issue than anything,” Morneau told the newspaper. “When I swing – how violent the torque is on it – (discomfort) is still there a little bit.”
Morneau, 34, missed large portions of the 2010 and 2011 seasons because of concussions. He got back on track last season by winning the National League batting title.
MLB.com reports that Morneau was scheduled to hit off a tee on Monday. He tried to take some swings last month but the “fuzziness” returned due to the torque in his swing.
Cuddyer, 36, signed a two-year, $21 million deal with the Mets last offseason. But the 36-year-old could have a date with the disabled list in the near future if the intensifying pain in his knee doesn’t get better, Newsday reports.
Cuddyer’s pain stems from a bone bruise under his kneecap. He suffered the injury running to first base on June 30, according to the New York Daily News.
Newsday called Cuddyer’s season “disappointing” because he has hit just .250 with 8 homers and 30 RBI.
