Major League Baseball

Morneau might not play in All-Star Game

Published Jul. 10, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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Minnesota's slugging first baseman was not in the lineup Saturday, missing a third straight game with a concussion, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire doesn't expect him to play Sunday.

''If I don't play here, I'm not going to fly out there (to Anaheim) and run around for two days,'' Morneau said Saturday afternoon before the second of three games on the road against the Detroit Tigers. ''If I can't play for my team, I'm not going to be playing for the American League.''

Morneau was told to avoid physical activity on Saturday and was scheduled to be evaluated by a Detroit Lions doctor, a concussions specialist.

''I think it is extremely unlikely that he will play (Sunday),'' Gardenhire said. ''If he doesn't do that, I don't think it would make much sense for him to play in the All-Star Game.''

Morneau was accidentally kneed in the head by Toronto's John McDonald on Wednesday. Morneau slid into McDonald while trying to break up a double play at second base. He walked off the field without assistance but didn't return.

''I feel better, but the headache is still there,'' Morneau said. ''There's no sense trying to do anything and set myself back two or three days.''

The four-time All-Star is among the league leaders in batting average, homers, RBIs and doubles.

Morneau went on the disabled list four years ago after he was hit in the head by a pitch from Seattle's Ron Villone and had headaches for several days, leading to him being out for 13 games. The Canadian also had head injuries during his days as a youth hockey goaltender and high school basketball player.