GM Ryan back with Twins; Gardy mulls future

MINNEAPOLIS -- Terry Ryan confirmed he'll be back as Twins general manager next season, but Ron Gardenhire's future with the organization still remains undecided after being offered an undisclosed job with the Twins despite being dismissed as manager on Monday.

Ryan, who turns 61 on Oct. 26, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in early February and had surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his neck on Feb. 11. He underwent six weeks of radiation treatment, which ended in late April.

He was able to make his first road trip with the team in late June and underwent a physical recently, which confirmed he's making a strong recovery. Twins owner Jim Pohlad and president Dave St. Peter both asked Ryan back and he accepted.

"I have the ability to move forward," Ryan said. "I certainly have the want to move forward. And Jim Pohlad and Dave St. Peter asked me to come back so we're going to do that very thing. There are some things that whenever you have what I had you're always going to be a little concerned, but the doctor I had says, 'Go to it. You can do anything you want to do.'"

While Ryan will stay, Gardenhire's future is unclear. Gardenhire, who was under contract for next season, was offered a position to remain in the organization, but said he's unsure if he'll take it. Gardenhire indicated he doesn't believe this will be his last managing job.

"I'm not done managing, I don't think," Gardenhire said. "Right now, I just want to take the time and step back. As I've said all along, I love this organization. I haven't even come close to talking with Terry on what kind of position that would be. There's so much involved right now, I'm just trying to grasp what I'm doing to do."