Twins call up catching help
With Joe Mauer hobbled because of a bruised left heel, the Minnesota Twins summoned top catching prospect Wilson Ramos from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.
Mauer isn’t expected back in the lineup until Monday, at the earliest, and manager Ron Gardenhire was uneasy moving forward with one healthy catcher.
Backup catcher Drew Butera made his fourth major league start against the Indians, and Ramos could be behind the plate for today’s series finale.
Mauer jammed his heel when he lunged into first base trying to beat out a grounder in the second inning of Friday’s 9-3 victory. He finished the game in pain and woke up in even more pain.
“It’s something you don’t screw around with,” Gardenhire said. “Heel bruises can really linger.”
The only cures are rest, ice and medication.
Granderson hurt
Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson is headed to the disabled list because of a strained left groin. There is no timetable for his return to the lineup.
Granderson hurt himself running the bases and was forced to leave the game against the Chicago White Sox.
Granderson was taken to a hospital for an MRI exam that showed a Grade II strain.
The Yankees say Granderson will go on the 15-day disabled list and right-handed reliever Mark Melancon will be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Brett Gardner will shift from left field to take over in center.
Johnson sent down
Right-hander Jim Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk by the Baltimore Orioles, who hope the demotion will help the struggling reliever return to form.
The move was made to make room for pitcher Brad Bergesen, who was recalled from Norfolk to start against Boston.
Johnson had a sparkling 2.23 ERA in 54 appearances as Baltimore’s setup man in 2008.
But his ERA climbed to 4.11 last year, and he is 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA and three blown saves this season.
“He needs to get back in more of a comfort zone,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “I think he needs to go into a little more of a relaxed environment. Find himself again. I think he’s gotten away from what he’s done best.”
Clearing the bases
The Twins activated third baseman Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list and optioned Luke Hughes to Triple-A Rochester before their night game at Cleveland. … Left-hander Alan Embree has been designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, who needed to make room on their roster to bring Daisuke Matsuzaka off the disabled list. … Marlins right-hander Clay Hensley will miss at least three games following the death of his father.