Twins rookie Tsuyoshi Nishioka walked into the Twins clubhouse at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida Friday morning unaware that a massive Earthquake had severely damaged a portion of his home country of Japan.

Nishioka said after the game, that when he walked into the clubhouse his Twins teammates were wondering if his family was ok. The second baseman said he was able to communicate with his wife through email and that his family was ok after the 8.9 earthquake.

Speaking through a translator, Nishioka said the thought of not playing Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox, crossed his mind, but decided he would play in hopes of providing any positive for the people of Japan.

On the field, Justin Morneau played four innings in his first official baseball game Friday since suffering a concussion last summer.

Morneau, facing Boston left hander Jon Lester, struck out during his first at-bat since July 7th, 2010.  During his second at-bat Morneau hit a fly ball to left field that Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford dropped. Morneau was replaced by a pinch runner.   

Morneau played earlier this week in a Twins “B” game.  

Twins left fielder Delmon Young also made his first start Friday as well. He’s been left out of the lineup because of turf toe.

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