MILWAUKEE — Twins first baseman Justin Morneau thought his sore left wrist would be taken care of with a short trip to the disabled list. His worrisome neck pain needed more immediate attention.
The Twins announced before Friday’s game with Milwaukee that Morneau will have neck surgery Wednesday to remove a herniated disk fragment, keeping him out another six weeks.
Morneau was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier this month with a strained left wrist that was put in a cast to try to stabilize it. That also gave him time to rest his neck, but Morneau still has dealt with weakness in the arm and numbness in his left hand.
After seeing a second neck specialist, the organization made the decision that surgery was the best option to help Morneau regain the form that led him to the 2006 AL MVP and two Silver Slugger awards.
McLaren’s position is temporary
CHICAGO — John McLaren is moving from bench coach to interim manager of the Nationals following the stunning resignation of Jim Riggleman.
He probably won’t hold the position for long.
McLaren’s duties began Friday when the Nationals opened a three-game series against the White Sox.
General manager Mike Rizzo said McLaren is an interim manager for days and not weeks. He added that the Nationals have already talked to several candidates to be the interim manager for the rest of the 2011 season. Included on that list is former major- league manager Davey Johnson, who is currently a senior advisor to Rizzo.
Oswalt goes on disabled list
PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies placed right-hander Roy Oswalt on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury.
Reliever Scott Mathieson was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace Oswalt, who was sidelined with a back injury earlier this year.
Footnotes.
Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett’s start today has been pushed back to help him recover from an illness that left him bedridden earlier this week.
• Reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton of the Rangers is going to try contact lenses to help him see the ball better during day games.
• The Reds activated left-hander Aroldis Chapman from the DL.
