The Minnesota Twins are sounding optimistic about getting one of their big bats back for the 2012 season. Keith McGill Black Jersey . New Westminster B.C.s Justin Morneau – who was limited to just 69 games in 2011 due to a concussion and an injured wrist – may be on-track to start the year, according to the teams general manager. In an interview with the Minnesota Star-Tribune Twins GM Terry Ryan said the one-time American League MVP is making progress. "Hes been in the ballpark here this past week every morning," Ryan told the Star-Tribune. "Hes working hard. Hes on about the right schedule. Hell start to swing a bat here in probably another 10 days to two weeks." Ryans comments came in response to an MLB.com interview with Morneau where the slugger acknowledged his continuing struggles with post-concussion symptoms. Ryan was candid about the information Morneau revealed. "It didnt surprise me," he told the Star-Tribune. "The facts that came out." Morneau has struggles with injuries over the past two seasons. He has been limited to 150 games over the two seasons combined and saw his batting average, slugging percentage and OPS take sharp declines in the limited action he saw in 2011. His injuries - combined with the mounting injuries to 2009 AL MVP Joe Mauer, who dressed for just 82 games last season – led to the Twins posting their worst record since 1995 and finishing in the AL Central cellar. Still, Ryan tempered his own optimism with a wait-and-see approach to Morneaus prospects for 2011. "Im not saying hes OK," Ryan said. "I dont think anybody will be able to make that statement until we get to Fort Myers and put him through the repetitions and the heat and the bus trips and so forth that are going to be an everyday occurrence for him and every player."www.authenticraidersshop.com/Gabe-Jackson-Raiders-Jersey . -- Tajh Boyd sent Sammy Watkins out wide to the right, and saw freshman Tim Harris sliding over in man-to-man coverage. authenticraidersshop.com/Khalil-Mack-Raiders-Jersey . The owner of a record 17 Grand Slam titles did recently complain about a bad back, however. Federer, who turns 32 next Thursday, made the unusual move of participating in a pair of minor clay-court tournaments in the period between playing on Wimbledons grass and shifting to the North American summer hard-court season.NEW YORK -- C.J. Fair didnt have many chances to be the main option for Syracuse last season. Now he has plenty. The 6-foot-8 forward has gone from the Oranges fourth option to No. 1, and he showed why Sunday in a 68-63 victory over St. Johns at Madison Square Garden. "We went to C.J., and he made a couple of tough plays. Shots that had to be made," coach Jim Boeheim said. "Hes been a key player. He wasnt our first option last year but hes always made big shots, big plays for us. We had other guys but he was developing. Hes going to get the ball and these opportunities, and hes prepared for that." Fair hit three big shots from the same spot -- about 15 feet from the basket on the right baseline. The smooth left-handed shooter tied the game from there at 58 with 6:51 to go, then he made two more in the final 3 minutes as the second-ranked Orange (10-0) were able to open a lead as big as seven points. "Im very comfortable on the baseline. I guess thats what you say is my sweet spot," he said. Since 1979, this had always been a Big East Conference game. Syracuse is now a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and St. Johns remained in the Big East. The majority of the crowd of 16,357 was rooting for Syracuse, something they used to get to do during the Big East tournament. Now, it will be a rare visit to Madison Square Garden for the Orange. "It was a great game at the Garden," Boeheim said. Fair and freshman guard Tyler Ennis both scored 21 points to lead the Orange. Ennis had 15 points in the first half as Syracuse took a 39-27 lead. The Red Storm (6-3) chipped away and were able to tie it at 53 on three free throws by Rysheed Jordan with 9:16 to go. There were then four lead changes and three ties as Syracuse became the second highly ranked team to escape this weekend. Justin Ellis Jersey. No. 1 Arizona beat Michigan 72-70 on Saturday. Ennis was "really unbelievable" in the first half, Boeheim said. "In the second half they did a much better job on him," he said. "As a freshman point guard, he is playing better than any I ever had, and Ive had a few pretty good freshman guards. If he played like a freshman, wed be 7-3. Hes been the difference in our team." DAngelo Harrison led St. Johns with 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting, including 1 of 5 from 3-point range. Jordan had a career-high 13 points for the Red Storm and JaKarr Sampson added 12. Jerami Grant scored 14 points for the Orange. This was Syracuses first true road game this season. It was the Oranges ninth straight win in the series that Syracuse leads 51-37. The Red Storm missed their first 10 attempts from 3-point range and were 1 of 15 overall. They were coming off a 104-58 victory over Fordham in which they shot 60 per cent on 3s. "The last four minutes of a game is where Syracuse separates itself," St. Johns coach Steve Lavin said. "I was very disappointed with the first half, happy with the first 16 minutes of the second half, and I really didnt like the finish. We didnt execute and didnt play with any purpose at all." Lavin referred to turnovers, forced shots and some missed free throws. The Red Storm missed four straight foul shots after taking a 60-58 lead. They were 20 for 26 from the line overall. "It hurts to lose but it hurts to lose to Syracuse in particular," Harrison said. "Certain things that you can take away from the last four minutes of the game, thats what we will watch the most." ' ' ' |