MINNEAPOLIS — Hoping to use the all-star break as a slump-busting springboard, the Twins must start the second half without Justin Morneau.
The big-swinging first baseman missed his fourth straight game on Thursday with a concussion and was placed on the 15-day disabled list after the 8-7 loss to the White Sox.
“It’s a lot better than it was, especially the last few days,” Morneau said before the game. “Woke up this morning feeling pretty good. We did 25 minutes on the elliptical and felt pretty good. But as the day has gone on, the plan was to try and come in and hit today. We decided not to do that with what we did this morning. Just not feeling that great.”
Ramirez off the DL
ST. LOUIS — The Dodgers activated Manny Ramirez from the 15-day disabled list and had him batting cleanup against the Cardinals.
The 38-year-old Ramirez was hitting .322 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs. Manager Joe Torre said at this stage of his career, Ramirez has learned to cut down on his swing and hit line drives.
Outfielder Reed Johnson was placed on the 15-day DL with a back injury.
Giants sign Willis
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants signed former 20-game winner Dontrelle Willis to a minor-league contract.
Willis, the NL rookie of the year in 2003, had been designated for assignment by Arizona earlier this month. In six games with Arizona, Willis was 1-1 with a 6.85 ERA and 27 walks in 22 1/3 innings.
Footnotes.
Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett, out since May 18, will make at least one more rehab start Saturday in Syracuse for Triple-A Pawtucket before sitting down with Boston coaches and manager Terry Francona to determine if he can return to the rotation next week on the road trip.
• The Orioles placed catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring.
• Veteran right-hander Jamey Wright signed with the Mariners, while former all-star Chad Cordero declined an option to Triple-A Tacoma and became a free agent.
• The Phillies activated right-handed reliever Chad Durbin from the 15-day DL and designated reliever Nelson Figueroa for assignment.
• The Marlins sent reliever Dan Meyer to Triple-A New Orleans.
The Associated Press
