Nick

Punto

Punto, who is recovering from a broken collarbone, is trying to make it back to the active roster before the end of the season. The Twins’ medical staff is concerned he is pushing himself a little too hard. However, the team still believes Punto will be ready to play once the playoffs start.

He will then return to Minnesota, hopefully play in one of the Twins’ last games of the season, and be deemed healthy enough to be added to the playoff roster.

Punto initially hurt himself May 1 and has been trying to play through the discomfort, but he is continuing to have trouble swinging lefthanded. If he is forced to the disabled list, Jason Bartlett may get recalled from Rochester to take his spot on the roster. With Punto’s recent injury woes, Luis Rivas is again getting a chance to play reguarly and solidify his spot in the Twins’ lineup.

Alex Prieto, hitting .312 at Triple-A Rochester, is expected to replace him on the active roster. Luis Rivas should keep his job as the starter.

Punto, who has missed the last month with a strained oblique muscle, took 40 swings from both sides of the plate yesterday and was encouraged with the results.

He felt a twinge in his side while batting. Punto will rest for a few days before resuming baseball-related activities. He should be considered out of action indefinitely at the moment.

Punto, who has been out of action for almost two months, could reclaim his utilityman role with the Twins’ as early as next week.

Punto, who has recovered from a strained oblique muscle, went 1-for-3 in the 2-1 loss to the White Sox yesterday. Luis Rivas got the day off.

He left the game after his third at bat when he seemed to re-injure his ribcage muscle. Punto will be examined today.

He is taking ground balls, but remains out of action indefinitely.