Justin Morneau Returns to Starting Lineup for Minnesota Twins

Justin Morneau will be in the starting lineup for the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day. This is big news for both Morneau and the Twins, because now they will have one of their best players in the race for an American League Central Division title. Morneau had remained a question mark because of his recovery, and even earlier in the week it wasn't guaranteed that he would be ready to go. That might be bad news for the rest of the American League.

ESPN reported that Morneau will play against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, the first time he has taken the field in a regular season game since July 7 of last year. In that game, Morneau suffered a concussion, basically bringing an end to his season. He couldn't find his legs for much of the remainder of the 2010 season, and there was no point where he found himself comfortable getting back in the lineup.

Losing Morneau was a terribly bad break for the Twins, especially because it happened while he was trying to break up a double play. He took a knee to the helmet, and it was quite clear that Morneau was seriously hurt. Whereas some players might be able to get right back in the lineup the following day, it seemed like Morneau was having a number of side-effects to his, including headaches and nausea, but at least now it looks like he will be ready to go on Friday.

During the 2010 season, Morneau was having an MVP type season before he got hurt. He ended up playing in just 81 of the 162 games for the Twins, posting an impressive .345 batting average and 1.055 OPS. He also had 44 extra base hits, 56 RBI, and 53 runs in just half a season. The Twins and their fans have to be hoping he can continue that torrid pace in the 2011 MLB season, even though he didn't see action during much of Spring Training.

Morneau is one of the two most important players on the Twins roster this year, with the other being catcher Joe Mauer. The tandem needs to come up huge in the 2011 season if Minnesota wants to make their way back to the American League Playoffs. It seems possible, if the duo can put up numbers like they have in the past and the pitching can help to keep games close. Morneau will likely play first base and hit cleanup in his first game back on April 1.

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