As a first baseman for the Minnesota Twins, Justin Morneau(notes) has gone to the All-Star game four times, won two Silver Slugger awards, and been named the American League MVP. But the team is considering moving him to full-time designated hitter, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Morneau has suffered from a variety of injuries in the past few years and ended this past season in late August when he suffered from concussion-like symptoms. ”One of the things [GM] Terry [Ryan] and I talked about is making sure before we get too deep in this thing [is] what were going to do with Morny,” manager Ron Gardenhire said on a local radio station Wednesday, according to the Star Tribune. ”Where he is going to play, if it is DH, if it is first base. Morny has to eventually tell us what’s right for him or I’ll make the decision for him and we will go from there.”

Gardenhire also said that he’s been exchanging text messages with Morneau, who has been in discussions with his doctors.

Morneau hit only .227 with four homers and 16 doubles this past season. He didn’t appear in a game after Aug. 28.

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Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Related: Minnesota Twins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Twins and versatile catcher Ryan Doumit have agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract.

Matt Sosnick, one of Doumit’s agents, confirmed the deal Friday.

Doumit is a career .271 hitter who can also play first base and right field, skills that fit with what the Twins are seeking this offseason. They need a backup for catcher Joe Mauer who can produce at the plate. With outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel testing free agency and first baseman Justin Morneau’s injury problems, Doumit should have plenty of opportunities to play.

Doumit will be 31 in April. He spent seven years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, finishing the 2011 season with a .303 average, eight homers and 30 RBIs in 77 games. He missed two months with a severely sprained ankle.

CLEVELAND — New Westminster slugger Justin Morneau has returned to the Minnesota Twins more than two months after neck surgery.

The Twins reinstated the first baseman and former American League MVP from the disabled list before Friday’s game at Cleveland. Morneau was on a rehab assignment with Triple-A

Rochester.

To make room on the roster, the Twins placed reserve outfielder Jason Repko on the 15-day DL because of bursitis in his left shoulder.

Morneau’s return means the Twins finally have their opening day lineup intact. Michael Cuddyer and Danny Valencia are the only regulars who haven’t missed time to injuries this year.

Morneau and fellow franchise cornerstone Joe Mauer have only been in the lineup together in nine of the last 198 games, including the playoffs.

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FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—The Minnesota Twins battered Baltimore starter Brian Matusz(notes) with their anticipated opening day lineup, beating the Orioles 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Matusz allowed eight of the 12 batters he faced to reach base, giving up four runs and five hits with three walks. He lasted only 1 1-3 innings before throwing more pitches in a bullpen session in an effort to improve his mechanics.

Twins starter Francisco Liriano(notes) struck out nine in three innings, but needed 76 pitches and issued three walks. He gave up four hits and one run, a homer by Orioles outfielder Adam Jones(notes).

Twins right-fielder Michael Cuddyer(notes) went 1 for 2 with a walk in his first spring game after having a wart removed from his left food.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau(notes) ended his 0-for-13 start to spring training by hitting a double in the seventh inning. He appears on the road to recovery from a concussion that caused him to miss the last 78 games of last season.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Joe Mauer made his first start this spring at catcher, and had a hit and scored two runs in the Minnesota Twins’ 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

Mauer has been brought along slowly in his recovery from minor knee surgery in the offseason. He caught five innings.

Rays catcher John Jaso left the game in the fourth inning after a foul ball hit him in the groin. The team said he had a bruise and would see a doctor as a precaution.

Rays starter Wade Davis, slated for the No. 3 spot in the rotation, gave up eight runs off nine hits in 3 1-3 innings.

Twins left fielder Delmon Young and Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman each hit their first spring training home runs. Young went 3 for 4 with four RBIs.