CLEVELAND — Twins catcher Joe Mauer may miss a few more games with a bruised left heel.
“Joe is really sore,” Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said of the reigning AL MVP on Sunday before the Twins played the Indians. “We’re going to rest him until it is right. We don’t want to risk things. If I play him, it will never heal. I have to protect Joe. He said it really hurt just to put his cleats on.”
The Twins recalled catcher Wilson Ramos from Triple-A Rochester and placed right- hander Pat Neshek on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation of his right middle finger.
Roberts remains in limbo
BALTIMORE — Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said his ailing lower back could keep him on the DL for several months.
Roberts, a two-time all-star, was placed on the DL on April 12 with a strained abdominal muscle and to receive further treatment on a herniated disc in his back.
Wood is ready for rehab assignment
CLEVELAND — Indians closer Kerry Wood is going to the minor leagues on an injury rehab assignment.
Wood has not pitched this season because of a strained muscle in his upper right back and is scheduled to work tonight at Double-A Akron.
Footnotes.
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins still feels tightness in his strained right calf and says it could be the end of the month before he returns to the lineup.
• The Phillies said Joe Blanton will make his first start of the season today against St. Louis.
• The Royals optioned third baseman Alex Gordon to Triple-A Omaha and recalled infielder Mike Aviles from the Pacific Coast League club.
• The Mariners released veteran outfielder Eric Byrnes, two days after a late-game gaffe and a bizarre exit from the stadium on a bicycle.
The Associated Press
