Twins shorthanded for series finale against Tigers

DETROIT -- The Twins will play the rubber-game of this series against the Tigers today without Joe Mauer, J.J. Hardy and Justin Morneau in the starting lineup.

Morneau has mid-oblique stiffness in his back, Hardy has a case of turf toe, and Mauer is banged up and needs a day off from catching, Manager Ron Gardenhire said. Mauer said he could DH, but Gardenhire is going with Thome at DH.

Update: Morneau will not swing a bat today but hopes to try on Friday afternoon in Cleveland.

"Hopefully I'll be good to go tomorrow," he said. "I don't know, we'll see how it goes tomorrow when I get to the field and start swinging and stuff. Felt better yesterday than I thought it was going to when I woke up. Today, even better."

Update: Hardy is available to play off the bench, Gardenhire said, "but he's got a pretty sore foot, and he was running on the side [of the foot] yesterday, trying to stay off the toe, and that's a little sore too. He's had it before and it's something he could probably play through if it was a need-to-play situation, but I have other infielders, so try to get him off it today and try to calm him down a little."

TWINS (14-7)

1. Denard Span, CF

3. Michael Cuddyer, 1B

4. Jim Thome, DH

5. Jason Kubel, RF

6. Delmon Young, LF

7. Brendan Harris, SS

9. Drew Butera, C

Starting pitcher: RH Carl Pavano (2-1, 4.96 ERA)

TIGERS (12-10)

1. Austin Jackson, CF

2. Johnny Damon, DH

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

5. Brennan Boesch, LF

6. Brandon Inge, 3B

7. Gerald Laird, C

8. Scott Sizemore, 2B

Starting pitcher: LH Dontrelle Willis (0-1, 5.00 ERA)