"On a health kick

The Twins went into last season hoping Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau would be healthy in spring training and, ultimately, able to play a full season. They weren't, and didn't. In hindsight, the M&M Boys' inability to play much in spring training was a harbinger. The frequent absences of the former American League MVPs was at the heart of a 99-loss season.

What's different this year? Not much. The Twins still hope they'll be ready when full-squad workouts begin Feb. 24 in Fort Myers, Fla.

Though Mauer has declared himself fit and feeling better than he has in a couple of years, Morneau is still recovering from a concussion and some offseason surgeries, most notably an operation to stabilize his left wrist. In addition, center fielder Denard Span is cautiously optimistic after missing 92 games because of a concussion and migraines, and Joel Zumaya - a potential game-changer in the bullpen - hopes to pitch his first major league game since June 28, 2010.

Still, Morneau feels good about the team's prospects. He said his concussion symptoms are essentially gone, and his wrist - which bothered him all last season - was declared right on schedule by orthopedist Dr. Thomas Varecka on Friday. "