Twins’ Morneau suffers another setback

MILWAUKEE – Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau thought his sore left wrist would be taken care of with a short trip to the disabled list. His worrisome neck pain needed more immediate attention.

The Twins announced before Friday’s game with Milwaukee that Morneau will have neck surgery Wednesday to remove a herniated disk fragment, keeping him out another six weeks.

Morneau was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier this month with a strained left wrist that was put in a cast to try to stabilize it. That also gave him time to rest his neck.

But after seeing a second neck specialist, the organization made the decision that surgery was the best option to help Morneau regain the form that led him to the 2006 A.L. MVP and two Silver Slugger awards.

Morneau is hitting .225 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 55 games, a year after missing the final 78 games of the season with a concussion.

The concussion and neck problems are not related.