NEW YORK (AP) - Minnesota Twins outfielder Delmon Young left the team to attend to his ill mother in California and missed Friday's start of a weekend series at the New York Yankees.
Minnesota placed Young on the family medical emergency list, which allows players to attend to personal issues for three to seven days.Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Young found out after Thursday's victory over Detroit in Minneapolis, as the team prepared to head to New York.
"I missed him. He came and got his stuff at the airport," Gardenhire said before Friday night's 5-4 loss. "He found out after the game and took off. He grabbed his luggage and was heading out."
Twins general manager Bill Smith has been in touch with Young's agent, according to Gardenhire.
"A couple of players have texted Delmon. He's hanging in there the best he can," Gardenhire said.
Young is hitting .277 with one home run and 14 RBIs.
To replace Young on the roster, the Twins recalled catcher Jose Morales from Triple-A Rochester. He started the season with the team while starting catcher Joe Mauer was on the disabled list.
Morales batted .340 before being sent down May 6.
