Twins' Mauer Put On 7-Day Concussion DL
DETROIT (AP) — Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer was put on the seven-day concussion disabled list after he experienced dizziness during his pregame route and was scratched from the lineup against the Detroit Tigers.
"I'm glad we have the means to find out that someone's hurt and do the right thing for them," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said after a 6-3 win Tuesday night. "For a long time, you had guys playing through these things, but now we have the tests to find out that something is wrong and take care of them."
Gardenhire said a few hours before the first pitch that Mauer was probably not going to catch during the three-game series in Detroit, adding he planned to play him in each game as the first baseman or designated hitter.
Mauer caught Monday's game against the New York Mets.
"He did take a lot of balls off the mask, but that has nothing to do with this," Gardenhire said Tuesday afternoon, explaining why Mauer was in the original lineup at first base for the series opener in Detroit. "He's fine."
Justin Morneau was shifted from designated hitter to first to replace Mauer in the field. Outfielder Chris Hermann moved up to hit second in Mauer's place in the lineup.
Mauer is hitting .324 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs for the Twins, who sit in fourth place in the AL Central.
Morneau, who has battled concussions since 2010, said the team made the right choice by placing Mauer on the seven-day DL.
"I definitely think it is the best," Morneau said. "The worst thing anyone can do is try to play through a concussion because then you get another one and you can be out for a long time. I know."
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