Injured Morneau to have further tests

The Minnesota Twins' chances of securing a playoff spot didn't get any better Thursday following the latest injury news on Justin Morneau.

The first baseman from New Westminster, B.C., missed his third consecutive game and returned to Minnesota to be examined by a specialist for an inner-ear infection.

Morneau, who is scheduled to see an ear, nose and throat specialist on Friday, has experienced dizziness from the ear problem since last weekend. Despite taking medication and being examined by team trainers and general practitioners, the three-time all-star and 2006 American League MVP has shown little improvement.

Morneau, 28, said he feels better in the mornings, but the dizziness returns later in the day.

"They keep saying it should go away eventually, but I'd like it to go away quicker than it has, so it's time to see a specialist," he said.

Morneau, hitting .298 with 28 home runs and an AL-high 94 runs batted in, started the series opener Monday in Texas. But he left that game in the fourth inning and hasn't been in the lineup since.

"It's frustrating, that's all," said Morneau, who had to watch from the dugout as the Twins completed comeback wins Tuesday and Wednesday to close to within 5 ½ games of first-place Detroit in the Central Division. "We're winning, that makes it easier. But you want to be out there."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire agreed it was time to get a better read on how much longer his slugger would be out.

"He feels good, then starts moving around and feels bad again," Gardenhire said. "He takes the medicine and he's supposed to feel better in 24 hours. But it's the same. Now we go to the next level and see."