Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will be shut down for the rest of the series against the Rangers while his troublesome left wrist is examined.

Morneau, who has been playing with a sore wrist for about two weeks, will be examined by Twins' hand specialist Dr. Tom Varecka and could be a candidate for a cortisone shot. Twins manger Ron Gardenhire said he needs to know what Morneau is dealing with before he's comfortable putting him in the starting lineup.

``It makes no sense for me to stick him back in the lineup before Dr. Varecka sees him and makes sure we're on the right path,'' Gardenhire said. ``Take today and tomorrow and Monday's day off. By Tuesday. I think he'll regroup.
``This is a good time, whether he likes it or not. We know he likes to be in there and is trying to play through this thing but the results haven't been very good.''

Morneau also has been battling a pinched nerve in his neck that affects his shoulder, although he said the wrist injury is a bigger issue. He's been doing all he can to stay off the disabled list. He said earlier in the week that the wrist hurts whenever he uses it.

Rehab updates

Jason Kubel said his sprained foot is doing better. He's taking batting practice with the team today, then will head inside for more rehab.

Ian Kinsler is back from paternity leave and in the Rangers' lineup.

Rangers (36-29)

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, DH
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Nelson Cruz, RF
6. Mitch Moreland, 1B
7. Mike Napoli, C
8. David Murphy, LF
9. Endy Chaves,CF

Pitching: Colby Lewis (5-6,4.37)

Twins (24-39)

1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, SS
3. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
4. Delmon Young, LF
5. Rene Tosoni, DH
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Brian Dinkleman, RF
8. Rene Rivera, C
9. Matt Tolbert, 2B

Pitching: Scott Baker (3-4, 3.86)

Gardenhire said spoke with catcher Joe Mauer before Saturday's game and provided another update -without revealing when Mauer (bilateral leg weakness) is expected to suit up for the Twins.

Mauer worked out at the Twins' complex in Fort Myers, Fla, on Saturday. He will catch on Sunday and Monday and either catch or be the designated hitter on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, reliever Joe Nathan will start workouts in Fort Myers as he recovers from a sore elbow. The plan is for Nathan to throw live batting practice to Mauer.

So the earliest Mauer could join the Twins, according to the current plan, is Thursday.

Infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka (broken left fibula) joined Class AAA Rochester on Saturday and is expected to play on Sunday for the Red Wings at Toledo.

Lefthander Glen Perkins (strained right oblique) was scheduled to start and pitch one inning for Rochester on Saturday and will likely pitch in relief on Monday before re-joining the Twins.