Back strain puts Pelfrey on the DL

CLEVELAND – Mike Pelfrey had pitched into the seventh inning in two of his past three starts and, despite giving up 10 hits in his last start Tuesday, he didn't walk a batter.

There were some things for him to build on while he tries to find his pre-Tommy John surgery form. But he landed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a back strain. The Twins called up lefthander Pedro Hernandez from Class AAA Rochester to take his place Sunday.

"I've missed two starts in my career," Pelfrey said. "One because I had a kid, the other because of Tommy John. It's not ideal. And it kind of stinks because I have to miss another start because of the DL, but it would not have been good going out there to pitch."

Pelfrey felt his back tighten up while running in the outfield before Saturday's game. He tried to play catch but bent over for 15 or 20 seconds when his back began to bother him, and he left the field.

He said he could bend up and down but had difficulty twisting, which isn't good for a pitcher.

The Twins could have spot-started Anthony Swarzak on Sunday, but that option disappeared when P.J. Walters was knocked out in the first inning Saturday and Swarzak came in and threw 3 ⅓ innings.

"As soon as the first inning happened, we really got our trainers going and decided we might have to have somebody up here for an emergency," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Pelfrey reported to the park Sunday morning and offered to give it a shot, but was stopped by the trainers.

"I wasn't going to fight them too much because I know how bad I feel," Pelfrey admitted.

Pelfrey will miss one more start while on the DL, and could return in time to face the Yankees on July 4 at Target Field.

Catcher Ryan Doumit injured his right ankle while diving into home plate in the ninth inning. Doumit missed the plate while trying to score on Oswaldo Arcia's double. He turned and dived back, but Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes stepped on the plate, causing Doumit to land awkwardly as he reached for the plate.

One problem: Gomes didn't even have the ball while blocking the plate.

Doumit said he expects to be fine by Tuesday.

Gardenhire gave first baseman Justin Morneau a day off Sunday. Morneau had played in 17 of 19 games this month and has spent a lot of extra time trying to find his power stroke. Gardenhire sensed Morneau needed a break.

"He's not as young as he used to be," Gardenhire said of the 32-year-old Morneau. "He is never going to say, 'I can't play.' "

Combined with the scheduled off day Monday, Gardenhire said he hopes Morneau is refreshed in time for the two-game series against Miami that begins Tuesday.

Outfielder Wilkin Ramirez, while on a minor league rehabilitation assignment at Class A Fort Myers, came down with concussion symptoms after diving for a ball and was removed from the game.

• Class AA New Britain righthander Trevor May was named Twins minor league player of the week after tossing 7⅔ scoreless innings Tuesday. In 14 starts, May is 6-3 with a 3.56 ERA for the Rock Cats. He had a 1.80 ERA over his past three starts before taking a 4-3 loss Sunday against Akron.

• Aaron Hicks will join Rochester on Monday to start his rehabilitation assignment, but he's not scheduled to play until Tuesday, at Indianapolis.