Pirate Galaxy » continue to the Stade de France

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins placed slugger Josh Willingham on the 15-day disabled list with a torn meniscus and bone bruise in his left knee on Tuesday, and they hope he wont need any more time than that to get the troublesome injury healed. Willingham has been bothered by the sore knee for some time, and the last straw came when he felt increasing discomfort during pregame warmups on Monday night. He had an MRI on Tuesday that revealed the tear, but GM Terry Ryan said he didnt think Willingham would need to have surgery during the season. "I think he will be all right in two weeks," Ryan said. "He could play on it, but unfortunately he tweaked it the other day. I think the two weeks will probably be ample time for him to be able to come back and perform." Willingham has struggled this season coming off of a career year in 2012. He is hitting .224 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs, and the Twins think some time to rest may be just what he needs to regain the power-hitting form he had last season when he hit 35 homers and drove in 110 runs. Willingham first tweaked his knee while sliding on a stolen base attempt, and hes been bothered by it for much of the last few weeks. He tried to take a shot to relieve the pain, but that was ineffective. "Well just have to wait and see how his leg responds, and then well know," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "You give him this time. We know it hasnt worked up to this point from the shot. ... Well just give him his rehab and if he starts doing rehab and it doesnt work, Im sure there will be other options." The 34-year-old, who signed a three-year, $21 million contract before last season, tried to play through the pain. But it all came to a head on Monday night as he tried to warm up for the game. He was scratched from the start and placed on the disabled list less than 24 hours later. "Ive been sort of battling it for a while and then I hurt it again on Friday night," Willingham said. "I took a couple days off and tried to run last night, and it just wasnt happening. The injury depleted an already thin Twins outfield and left them with few options. Struggling rookie Aaron Hicks was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to replace Willingham. Hicks got off to a horrendous start after making the jump from Double-A to the majors, then went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. The Twins were hoping to let Hicks get some extended at-bats in Triple-A to rebuild his confidence before recalling him, but the injury to Willingham derailed those plans. Hicks hit .190 in six games for the Red Wings since being activated.Francisco Cervelli Braves Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Rico Carty Jersey . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. https://www.cheapbraves.com/1283o-orlando-cepeda-jersey-braves.html . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. Ralph Garr Jersey . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Clete Boyer Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.PARIS -- The Wales squad playing with their children on pitches across France has provided some of the most heartwarming images of the European Championship.Tournament organizers dont find the scenes quite so endearing.UEFA are frowning on it unfortunately because its encroachment on the pitch, Football Association of Wales President David Griffiths told The Associated Press on Monday. But the team is run like a family and the boys have been together for so long.And the players are still likely to be dancing and kicking the ball around with their kids after Wednesdays semifinal against Portugal in Lyon. Win or lose.Already history-makers in their rugby-obsessed homeland, the Welsh are one game away from a final against Germany or host France.The unexpected progress is even jeopardizing midfielder Joe Ledleys wedding, which was scheduled for this weekend.Hes obviously booked it a long time ago, before qualifying, teammate Gareth Bale said. These things happen.Just not usually to Welsh footballers. Not when your nation hadnt previously made it to a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.Even after qualifying for Euro 2016, few would have expected Wales to be the British team in the final four. England beat Wales in the group stage but was embarrassed in the round of 16 by Iceland.Griffiths has received messages of congratulations from Northern Ireland, which Wales beat to reach the quarterfinals, and Scotland, which failed to qualify for Euro 2016 but whose federation president has been invited by the FAW to the semifinal.Ive heard nothing from Greg Dyke, Griffiths said of the English Football Association chairman.While the England players are already on holiday, their Welsh counterparts are savoring every moment of an astonishing run that is continuing thanks to a 3-1 victory over Belgium, the worlds second-ranked team.Together stronger is the emblazed on walls across the Welsh tournament base in the northwest seaside resort of Dinard. It seems to be a motto grounded in reality, rather than just the marketing minds back in Cardiff.The players readily mingle with the public at their Britttany base between games, lacking the aloofness of their neighbors from England, which was embarrassed by Iceland in the round of 16.dddddddddddd.England didnt want anyone filming, Griffiths said. Our lads have been going to get a coffee and milkshakes, being photographed and signing autographs. Its like a family.Of which Bale is its most important member.The worlds most expensive player will never say that himself, of course.The team is the star, is long-standing mantra from Bale that was repeated Monday to deflect questions about his importance to Wales. There are no stars in the team.And yet the inevitable dependence on the 100 million-euro Real Madrid forward will be sharpened by Wales being shorn of the creative outlet provided by the suspended Aaron Ramsey. Defender Ben Davies also picked up a second tournament yellow card against Belgium that ruled him out of the semifinals.Its horrible for them, Bale said. Its given us even more motivation for us to win the semifinal and so they can play again. We are not doing it just for the nation and the badge now; we are doing it for them as well.There was further anxiety for Wales fans when Bale trained away from the rest of the squad on Monday morning.I just needed an extra day recovery, the 26-year-old Bale said in a reassuring medical bulletin later. I felt a little bit stiff.If the Welsh journey is to continue to the Stade de France for Sundays final, Wales will have to stifle Bales Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.Its been a tournament of contrasts for the duo.Bales easy-going demeanor has contrasted with the tetchiness of a tense Ronaldo..Bale has been cautious to avoid stoking a rivalry with Ronaldo before their semifinal. Whats clear is they are more teammates than mates in the Spanish capital.Of course we get on very well at Real Madrid, Bale said. Im not sure what he does off the pitch, thats his private life.---Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.twitter.com/RobHarrisReports ' ' '