MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Mauer missed his third straight game Saturday because of a stiff neck, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire defended his star catcher amid criticism that Mauer doesn’t play through pain enough.
“He’s played hurt more than any of these other guys have,” Gardenhire said before the struggling Twins offense faced Justin Verlander and the Tigers. “And he’s not getting credit for that.”
In the first year of an eight-year, $184 million contract extension, Mauer has played in just 70 of the team’s 132 games because of various injuries.
Giants’ Schierholtz on DL
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants placed outfielder Nate Schierholtz on the 15-day disabled list to make room for left-hander Eric Surkamp, who made his major-league debut against the Astros.
Footnotes.
The AL West-leading Rangers are skipping Matt Harrison’s next turn in the rotation and planning for C.J. Wilson to pitch every fifth day in September.
• The White Sox put outfielder Carlos Quentin on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left shoulder.
• Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo left the game against the Royals after aggravating his sore left side.
• The Red Sox sent pitcher Scott Atchison back to Triple-A and recalled right-hander Michael Bowden.
• The Nationals recalled first baseman Chris Marrero from Triple-A.
