As Twins manager Ron Gardenhire warned us yesterday, Justin Morneau is not in the starting lineup today because he has a .140 batting average against Yankees lefty C.C. Sabathia. Gardy figured it was a good time to do it since Morneau has played in every game up to this point. No one in the starting lineup, however, has a home run against Sabathia.

UPDATES:

Lefthander Glen Perkins (forearm) will be examined on Wednesday morning by team physician Dr. Dan Buss. The Twins then will decide if Perkins will join the team in New York. Twins GM Terry Ryan said Perkins was feeling better on Tuesday.

So was righthander Nick Blackburn, who is taking off a start because of a shoulder cramp.

But both could wind up on the hot seat tomorrow.

The Twins need to make a roster move to clear space for Jason Marquis, who will start on Wednesday. If Perkins or Blackburn don't make satisfactory progress by tomorrow, one of them could land on the disabled list while the Twins call up Marquis.

Morneau said everything went well yesterday during his season debut at first and indicated that he could slowly work his way back to full time duty there.

Twins (3-7)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Ryan Doumit, C
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Trevor Plouffe, RF
8. Luke Hughes, 1B
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B

Francisco Liriano, LHP

The Yankees scratched Mark Teixeira because of flu-like symptoms.

Yankees (5-5)

1. Derek Jeter, DH
2. Nick Swisher, 1B
3. Robinson Cano, 2B
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Andruw Jones, RF
6. Curtis Granderson, CF
7. Eduardo Nunez, SS
8. Brett Gardner, LF
9. Chris Stewart, C

C.C. Sabathia,. LHP