The Associated Press is reporting that the Twins have placed first baseman Justin Morneau on the disabled list with a strained left wrist. Morneau last played on Friday and when a cortisone shot he received on Sunday had yet to have its desired effect, a DL stint was inevitable. Morneau said the injury made him feel like he was swinging the bat one-handed and doctors told him on Tuesday that he needed some rest and a few days to regain his range of motion. The 2006 AL MVP has had a subpar season after missing the second half of 2010. He is hitting just .265 with 3 home runs and 17 RBI and had received a cortisone shot in his neck earlier this year in addition to the one he received recently in his hand.
Morneau joins an already fully-stacked Minnesota disabled list that includes star catcher Joe Mauer, second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka, designated hitter Jim Thome, outfielders Jason Kubel and Denard Span, and pitchers Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, and Joe Nathan. The onslaught of injuries is the biggest culprit for the Twinkies’ disappointing 26-39 record as of this past weekend’s series against the Rangers. The good news for the Twins is that Mauer could be back by this weekend and Nishioka is scheduled to arrive in the Twin Cities Wednesday.