Crede out; M's Morrow set to return

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins third baseman Joe Crede was held out of the game against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night because of a sore hamstring.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Crede started feeling pain in a loss at Baltimore on Thursday. Brian Buscher took Crede's place in the starting lineup on Friday night, and it wasn't immediately clear how long he would be there.

"We'll take no chances here," Gardenhire said. "Whether it's a day, two or three, I don't know. But he's sore and we're not going to mess with it."

Crede has had a rough start to his first season in Minnesota. He signed in spring training from the rival White Sox after undergoing two major back operations in the previous two seasons. The back has held up fine, but Crede is hitting just .232 with three homers and seven RBIs in 23 games.

The Mariners have had their share of injury problems as well. They are eagerly awaiting the return of closer Brandon Morrow, who has been on the disabled list since April 24 with biceps tendinitis.

Manager Don Wakamatsu said Morrow will be activated on Saturday.

Seattle also has been without left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith since April 11. He was scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Friday and throw in a simulated game in Texas after having a couple days off.

Wakamatsu said Rowland-Smith will throw one more bullpen after that before being sent on a rehabilitation assignment.

"Looking at it right now, to get him stretched out in a starter role, we're probably still looking at almost a month away," Wakamatsu said.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

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