Twins third baseman Miguel Sano is headed to the Twin Cities tonight to have his back examined by doctors after it has failed to improve with two days of rest.

Sano woke up several days ago with a sore lower right back and tried to play through it. But he had to come out of Monday's game against the Tigers when his condition worsened. He's attempted to do some light drills since then, but his condition has not improved..

``I think he tried to take a few swings in the cage," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. `That didn't go particularly well."

Sano said this is the first time all season he has had problems with his back.

``I hope to play again and finish strong this year." he said.


Joe Mauer is back in the lineup as the designated hitter. If all goes well, he will play first base in New York tomorrow. Mauer was the first player in the clubhouse on Sunday, as he hit the whirlpool to get his legs ready.

Kurt Suzuki is available to DH, but Molitor doesn't want to use Suzuki behind the plate one day after getting five stitches in his chin.

Twins

Brian Dozier, 2B
Jorge Polanco, SS
Joe Mauer, DH
Kennys Vargas, 1B
Max Kepler, RF
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Eddie Rosario, LF
Juan Centeno, C
Byron Buxton, CF

Hector Santiago, LHP

Ian Kinsler, 2B
Jose Iglesias, SS
Miggy, 1B
V-Mart, DH
Justin Upton, LF
James McCann, C
JaCoby Jones, CF
Austin Romine, 3B

Mike Pelfrey, RHP