Morneau wouldn't mind an actual All-Star break

Justin Morneau said he won't participate in the Home Run Derby if he's not selected to represent the American League at the All-Star Game.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: July 4, 2009 - 11:19 PM

Since Twins first baseman Justin Morneau was last year's Home Run Derby champion, he probably will be invited to defend his crown at this year's event July 13 in St. Louis.

But Morneau, who wore down as last season went on, plans to rest if he's not selected for the All-Star team.

"If I'm not in the All-Star Game, I'm not going to go," he said. "That's time off I can definitely use if I'm not in the game. I haven't had those days off in two years [and] they could make a difference in the second half."

The starters, reserves and final-vote candidates for the 80th All-Star Game will be announced today. Morneau was third in voting among first basemen, more than 350,000 votes behind the leader, Boston's Kevin Youkilis.

If Morneau is not named a starter or reserve, he still could be a final-vote candidate -- an online poll designed to select the final player on each team.

"We'll see," Morneau said. "It's where you want to be, with the best players in the league."

Slowey to see specialist

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said righthander Kevin Slowey has battled pain in his wrist for a while -- just not when he is on a mound.

Friday night was the first time Slowey felt discomfort in the wrist. It's in the same spot where Chicago's Juan Uribe hit him with a line drive last Sept. 25 in what became a memorable 7-6 Twins victory. That line drive was the reason Slowey didn't pitch game No. 163 against the White Sox and Nick Blackburn did.

"Opening doors and things like that have been issues," Gardenhire said. "But the throwing part has always been good. [Now] it's starting to bother him throwing the ball, so he's going to get checked out."

Slowey was placed on the disabled list Saturday. He will leave the Twin Cities today for Baltimore, where he will be examined by a specialist on Monday.

Swarzak recalled

Righthander Anthony Swarzak has joined the Twins from Class AAA Rochester and will be available out of the bullpen for a couple of days before he replaces Slowey in the rotation on Thursday against the Yankees.

Swarzak was 2-2 with a 3.90 ERA in five starts with the Twins earlier this season while he replaced the injured Glen Perkins in the rotation. He returned to Rochester last month and was 1-0 with a 2.54 ERA in three starts.

Etc.

• The Twins are close to signing lefthander Matt Bashore, their first-round sandwich pick during last month's draft. Bashore is expected to be assigned to rookie ball Elizabethton of the Appalachian League.

• Righthander Scott Baker was available out of the bullpen on Saturday as the Twins were shorthanded after the 16-inning game Friday. Baker is scheduled to start Tuesday, seven days after his last start, because of the Twins' two off days surrounding their series with the Tigers.

• Righthander Jesse Crain remains a work in progress at Rochester, posting a 5.14 ERA in six games. In seven innings, he gave up seven hits and walked six with 11 strikeouts. Gardenhire said Crain is still overthrowing and not mixing in his sinker.

• Dr. Diane Dahm and Dr. Amy Stromwall were on call at Friday and Saturday's games, the first time the club has had two female doctors work the same game. Dahm has been working Twins games for 10 years; this is Stromwall's first year.