Sunday lineups: Morneau out with ‘general soreness’

Posted on June 21st, 2009 – 11:05 AM
By Joe Christensen

Justin Morneau is getting his first day off this season because of general soreness, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said this morning, adding that he expects Morneau will be ready to play on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Denard Span is going on a rehab assignment to Class AAA Rochester. The Twins want him to play Monday and Tuesday for the Red Wings, then rejoin the team in Milwaukee on Wednesday before being activated from the DL on Thursday.

Nick Punto has sore ribs but Gardenhire said he doesn’t expect him to have to go on the DL.

Kevin Slowey has been pushed back in the rotation, after cramping in his side during Friday’s start. So the rotation, starting Tuesday in Milwaukee will go: Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, Glen Perkins and Slowey.

The Twins are playing a Father’s Day family game on the field, so those are all the pregame updates available at this time.

Updates as they come.

Update: Morneau has played in 319 consecutive games, dating to 2007. That is the second-longest streak behind Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, who is at 343.

Update: Jason Kubel left today’s game in the fourth inning. No update as to why, but will have it here when it’s announced. Michael Cuddyer moved to right field, and Brian Buscher was inserted at first base.

Update: The Twins announced that Kubel left the game because he is ill.

ASTROS (32-36)

1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Jeff Keppinger, 3B
3. Miguel Tejada, SS
4. Carlos Lee, DH
5. Lance Berkman, 1B
6. Hunter Pence, RF
7. Ivan Rodriguez, C
8. Kazuo Matsui, 2B
9. Jason Michaels, LF

Starting pitcher: Wandy Rodriguez (5-6, 3.33 ERA)

TWINS (35-35)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Mike Redmond, C
9. Matt Tolbert, 2B

Starting pitcher: LH Glen Perkins (2-3, 5.09 ERA)

Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m.

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