Twins place three on disabled list

FORT MYERS, Fla., April 2 (UPI) -- Minnesota pitcher Scott Baker, who was to have started Opening Day for the Twins, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday.

The Twins said the roster move was retroactive to March 28. Pitcher Boof Bonser and catcher Joe Mauer were also placed in the 15-day disabled list.

Baker, a right-hander, had been announced as the starting pitcher for Minnesota's season opener Monday against the Seattle Mariners. But stiffness in his right shoulder during an outing Wednesday against Triple-A Norfolk caused the Twins to make a roster move. He was 1-2 with a 6.85 earned run average in six spring training appearances.

Left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano was given the Opening Day starting assignment in place of Baker.

Bonser was placed on the DL following surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Mauer has been bothered by inflammation in his sacroiliac joint.