News of the day: Morneau, Liriano

Justim Morneau hasn't played since July 7, 2010.
He still doesn't know when he will.

I've spent the afternoon trying to come up with a useful reaction to what Justin Morneau said upon reporting to camp Monday:

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

He's not cleared to play in games. But there are no games to play in right now anyway. He expects to miss the first week of exhibitions at least and isn't sure about Opening Day.

Obviously, it would be best if he were 100 percent and raring to go. That he isn't 100 percent on Feb. 21 isn't a disaster either.

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The recent tidbit on Francisco Liriano isn't encouraging either. He admits that he didn't keep up with his shoulder exercises during the offseason.

This is getting the blame for his shoulder soreness when he reported to camp -- a soreness that worried him enough that he had an MRI without notifying the team.

Things like this might illuminate the question of why the organization would entertain the option to trading their most talented starter rather than risk a long-term contract.