CLEVELAND (AP) - Minnesota Twins designated hitter Jim Thome was out of Friday night’s starting lineup because of a mild abdominal strain.
Thome, scratched from Wednesday’s lineup because of the injury, is tied with Frank Robinson for eighth on the career home run list at 586.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire expects Thome to be in the lineup for Saturday night’s game against Cleveland.
“He’s feeling a lot better today,” Gardenhire said.
First baseman Justin Morneau, who hasn’t played since July 7 because of a concussion, isn’t traveling with the team. It’s uncertain whether Morneau, hitting .345 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs in 81 games, will return this season.
“I don’t have any expectations,” Gardenhire said. “He’s still not there. He’s not ready to go on a road trip. He needs to have two or three days in a row where nothing bothers him and he hasn’t had that.”
Morneau remains at home, where his wife, Krista, is expecting a baby soon.
“I want him to get healthy again, no matter which way it goes,” Gardenhire said. “I want him to say he feels great again and then we’ll worry about the baseball part of it.”
Reliever Brian Fuentes, who has appeared in only one game since he was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 27, will have a bullpen session Saturday. Fuentes has been bothered by a sore.
Gardenhire said left-hander Jose Mijares (torn meniscus in right knee) threw a simulated game Friday and will come off the disabled list Saturday.
The Twins also activated infielder Nick Punto, who has been out since July 29 with a strained left hamstring.
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