The Twins have placed righthander Mike Pelfrey on the 15-day disabled list with a strained back. Lefthander Pedro Hernandez, who drove in overnight from Louisville, will make the start in Pelfrey's place.

Louisville was where Class AAA Rochester is playing this weekend.

Pelfrey said his back began to bother him Saturday while running in the outfield. He tried to play catch but the discomfort persisted. ``I hunched over for 15-20 seconds," Pelfrey said. ``It just grabbed."

Pelfrey headed for the trainer's room to inform the Twins of his condition. He hoped to feel better today, but the problem didn't go away overnight. Even then, he told the Twins that he wanted to try to warm up and see if he could make it through his start.

``I wasn't going to fight them too much because I know how bad I feel." he said. ``I wasn't going to get it heated up in 20 minutes.

``I'm pretty sore today."

The Twins already had Hernandez in a car, driving up from Louisville, and told Pelfrey not to push it.

The move will be backdated to June 19, after Pelfrey's last start.

Hernandez is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA for the Red Wings. He worked five innings out of the bullpen on Wednesday, his most recent outing. He's 2-1, 5.85 in eight games (six starts) with the Twins.

Many of you are screaming about Kyle Gibson not getting the call. Calm down. He pitched on Friday and had no chance to be the call up. This is an emergency situation, and they need Hernandez to get them through today. It will be interesting to see who fills in for Pelfrey five days from now.


Justin Morneau is getting a day off. With Monday being an offday, the Twins hope Morneau will be refreshed and ready to go Tuesday in Miami

Wilkin Ramirez, on a rehab assignment with Class A Fort Myers, dived for a ball yesterday and felt dizzy with a little bit of a headache.

Twins (33-38)

1. Clete Thomas, CF
2. Joe Mauer, DH
3. Ryan Doumit, C
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Oswaldo Arcia, RF
6. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
7. Chris Parmelee. 1B
8. Brian Dozier, 2B
9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Pitching: Pedro Hernandez, LHP

Cleveland (38-35)

1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Mike Aviles, SS
3. Jason Kipnis. 2B
4. Nick Swisher, DH
5. Mark Reynolds, 3B
6. Carlos Santana, DH
7. Ryan Raburn, LF
8. Yan Gomes, C
9. Drew Stubbs, RF

Pitching: Carlos Carrasco, RHP