Struggling Twins Activate Molitor

The Minnesota Twins activated Paul Molitor from the disabled list Thursday night as they slowly recover from injuries that have contributed to their eight-game losing streak.

Molitor has been out since April 17 because of an abdominal strain, one of three key players the Twins have been without during a slump which deepened with a 3-2 loss to Baltimore on Thursday.

“He’s our leader, we follow him,” outfielder Matt Lawton said. “We’ve been without him for a couple of weeks. I know everybody’s looking around for somebody to step up. I feel like when he’s back in the lineup he’s going to be that guy who’s going to step up.”

To make room for Molitor, the Twins sent outfielder Chris Latham back to triple-A Salt Lake.

Marty Cordova has been on the disabled list since April 11 because of an injured left foot, and Scott Stahoviak went on the disabled list April 1 after breaking a bone in his left hand.

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Texas starting pitcher Ken Hill has a muscle strain in the back of his pitching shoulder but no apparent damage to his rotator cuff, the Rangers’ team doctor said.

Dr. John Conway said Hill has a posterior capsular strain. X-rays on the shoulder were normal, he said.

Hill will undergo rehabilitation on the shoulder over the next few days.

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The Boston Red Sox sent the contract of right-handed pitcher Johnny Ruffin to Kintetsu of the Japanese Pacific League for cash considerations.