Twins' Morneau still not over concussion

FORT MYERS, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau said Monday he isn't fully recovered from a concussion but is nonetheless eager to start spring training.

Morneau, talking to reporters in the Twins' spring training home of Fort Myers, Fla., said while he's not "100 percent" back from last season's head injury he will be sitting on the bench during the team's first few exhibition games.

"I wouldn't say it's 100 percent yet, but I think it's as close as I can get," he said. "It's just trying to get over that final hump."

Morneau, the 2006 American League MVP and a four-time all-star, was accidentally kicked in the head by Toronto second baseman John McDonald in a July 7 game at Rogers Center and hasn't played since, although he practiced a bit with teammates during an abandoned comeback attempt in September.

Now, the 29-year-old player says, he's ready to participate in his first full workouts since the mishap.

"I've been swinging, taking ground balls, practicing my turns throwing to second base -- everything baseball activity," the first baseman said of his spring workouts. "But it's been in a controlled environment, so that's why we're going to see what happens."