KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Twins placed Jim Thome and Jason Kubel on the 15-day disabled list Thursday.
The defending AL Central champions have the worst record in the majors and eight players on the DL.
Thome strained his left quadriceps Wednesday night in a loss at Detroit, and this will be his second stint on the DL this season. The designated hitter has 593 career home runs.
Kubel leads the team with 30 RBIs and a .310 batting average, but the DH/outfielder sprained his left foot Monday against the Tigers.
“We thought one, but not two,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “There’s not much we can do about it. Other guys will have to step up. It’s not the same team we thought we had in spring training. We’ll just have to find ways to win with the guys we’ve got.”
The Twins recalled outfielder Ben Revere and infielder Luke Hughes from Triple-A Rochester.
Meanwhile, Joe Mauer caught three innings in an extended spring-training game, his first action on defense since he was put on the DL nearly two months ago with weakness and soreness in his legs.
Mauer went 0-for-5 against a group of Rays minor-leaguers on a 94-degree afternoon. As he stood in the shade after the game in Fort Myers, Fla., he said he was out of breath and “a little fatigued” but otherwise feeling fine.
“There’s a lot of pain gone, which is good,” Mauer said. “I was in a lot of pain to start the season, and that was a reason why I had to go on the DL. Getting back here today, moving around, I felt pretty good.”
As far as Mauer’s return to the majors, the Twins have declined to publicly reveal a timetable.
Sandoval, Zito nearing returns
ST. LOUIS — Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval is set to begin a rehabilitation assignment today, and the team expects pitcher Barry Zito (foot) to start his minor-league stint early next week.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Sandoval (wrist) has looked good swinging from both sides the last two days and estimated the switch-hitter would need four or five games in the minors to regain his timing.
Footnotes.
Left-hander John Lamb, one of the Royals’ top prospects, is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery today on his left elbow.
• The Mets placed right-hander Taylor Buchholz (shoulder) on the DL.
• Right-handed reliever Manny Delcarmen signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers.
The Associated Press
