The Twins placed starting pitcher Scott Baker on the 15-day disabled list with a strained flexor muscle in his right elbow following Sunday's 4-3 victory over Kansas City.
Baker (7-5, 3.01 ERA) was scheduled to pitch Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Cleveland, but his elbow felt sore today, and he wasn't sure how well he'd be able to bounce back if he did make that start.
Baker, 29, last pitched July 5, but teams can only backdate a DL move for 10 days, so this one was made retroactive to July 7. Baker is eligible to return Friday, but Manager Ron Gardenhire said that will depend on how confident the righthander is in his elbow. (Corrected)
Sunday's win pulled the Twins (44-49) five games under .500 for the first time since April 28. They now trail AL Central co-leaders Cleveland and Detroit by five games.
Diamond promoted
The Twins promoted LH Scott Diamond from Class AAA Rochester. He will pitch Game 2 against Cleveland, with RH Anthony Swarzak starting Game 1.
Cleveland will start LH David Huff in Game 1 and RH Fausto Carmona in Game 2.
Diamond, a Rule 5 pick from Atlanta last winter, was 4-8 with a 4.70 ERA in 17 starts for the Red Wings. Monday would have been his day to pitch.
