I swapped e-mails with Pat Neshek over the weekend when the Twins threw out the possibility that Neshek could return to the team before the year was over.

To me, it’s a super long shot that he will return this year. While he could shock all of us, have no setbacks and return to action, he could also need a couple more months before he’s ready to face hitters - or could have a setback that requires surgery.

I only had room for one comment from Neshek for the ink-on-paper edition on Sunday. So the following is Neshek’s entire e-mail (printed with his permission) from Saturday:

”Well I’ve been down here for 6 days and have been playing catch every other

day right now. I’ll be moving back to 75 feet for a couple days and then 90

feet for another week. After that I will be throwing everyday from 60 feet,

I think it’s just going to be progression from there and see where I’m at.

I’m not sure about a mound visit yet…might happen later in the month I’m

sure and I guess it really depends if we are still in the race and I’m sure

we will be right up there.

It’s been going great so far, kind of what I

expected, no problems at all but I haven’t really been tossing hard at all.

My only concern is when I start letting it go and when I throw my slider and

also when the adrenaline starts flowing. I think that’s something you can’t

really prepare for it’s either going to be fine or hurt so we’ll see when I

start throwing it a little harder. The docs seem pretty upbeat that I can

come back from this, I’m still not sure, I’m taking it slow and will test it

when they tell me to…I still have no clue with a time frame…

I still

could get surgery or I could be back in the middle of September, if things

are fine I’m going to prepare to be ready to go if needed…if I have

setbacks I will slow things down and reevaluate. Check back in a week and

I’m sure I will know more.”

It’s a long shot, but he’s giving it a shot. I’m sure Nehsek won’t put himself in a spot where his career is at risk and back off is something doesn’t feel right.

On an unrelated note, heard over the weekend that Luke Hughes will play third base at the Arizona Fall League this year. I’ve been told a few times that Hughes is a man without a standout position, but a path to the majors is open for him if he can settle in at third and show some of that power he had at New Britain. He’s .277-2-8 since being promoted to Rochester.

Brian Buscher really hasn’t been bad at third, but I don’t blame the Twins for creating options - especially if Hughes proves he can hit for power.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 12:32 pm and is filed under Random thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.