Willingham gets cortisone shot, eyes Tuesday return

MINNEAPOLIS -- Left fielder Josh Willingham had a cortisone shot in his left knee on Saturday night and was held out of the lineup on Sunday, but is hoping to return on Tuesday after the Twins' off-day on Monday.

Willingham said he's not sure when he first injured his knee, but it has been bothering him all season. He was limited to designated hitter duty this week -- he hasn't played left field since June 9 -- and also missed Saturday's game.

"It's been aggravating me all year," Willingham said. "I don't know why or when it started. It affects my ability to run, which affects my defense. Not that I'm a Gold Glover, we all know that I'm not, but I can't be the best I can be because it hurts to run, so I wanted to get it knocked out with the medicine in there and hopefully play Tuesday."

It's the first time Willingham has received a cortisone shot, so he admitted he's not sure if he'll be limited to designated hitter duty in the short-term once he returns.

"I don't know," Willingham said. "I don't know how well the medicine will work. So we'll just have to play it by ear, day by day."

With Willingham out, rookie Oswaldo Arcia made his second straight start in left field.