Radke could start for Twins this week
September 25, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Twins right-hander Brad Radke, who has a torn labrum and a stress fracture in his throwing shoulder, might be able to make a start for Minnesota this week.
Radke did some light bullpen work on Monday and felt better than he did in his last session, manager Ron Gardenhire said. If the 33-year-old, who plans to retire after the season, isn't hurting when he reports to the Metrodome for Tuesday's game, the Twins will likely start him in the next couple of days.
If that goes well, there's a chance Radke could have a spot in the rotation for a possible first-round playoff series. Minnesota began the day needing a win over Kansas City and a loss by Chicago at Cleveland to clinch the AL wild-card spot.
"I know that if you have Brad Radke and he goes out and pitches before the playoffs and throws the living fire out of the baseball, I think you'd want to really look at that to see if he could help you out," Gardenhire said. "Chances are he probably could, just knowing Brad Radke." After All-Star and Cy Young Award favorite Johan Santana, the Twins are unsettled. Rookies Boof Bonser and Matt Garza and right-hander Carlos Silva are the others who could start in the playoffs.