MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have hired the recently retired Justin Morneau as a special assistant.The team said Wednesday Morneau will become the fourth former Twins player from his generation to get the job, joining Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter and LaTroy Hawkins.The 36-year-old Morneau will be involved in the amateur draft and be a resource for player acquisitions.Morneau was drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft and played 14 seasons in the majors, including 11 with the Twins from 2003-13. He also played for Pittsburgh, Colorado and the Chicago White Sox.Morneau won the American League MVP Award in 2006. The four-time All-Star played 1,278 games for Minnesota, hitting .278 with 221 home runs and 860 RBIs.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP and Minnesota Twins first baseman whose career was derailed by concussion symptoms, is retiring after 1,603 hits and 247 home runs in 14 major league seasons.The Twins confirmed Morneau's retirement on Monday. They scheduled a news conference with Morneau and team officials for Wednesday.Morneau didn't play in 2017. He appeared in 58 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2016.After the Twins drafted the Canadian in 1999, Morneau became a four-time All-Star. His MVP-caliber performance in 2010 was halted by a knee to the head he took during a slide that cost him half of that season. He produced one more strong year, winning an NL batting title with the Colorado Rockies in 2014.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBaseball

DH Justin Morneau returned to the lineup after missing six games due to discomfort in his neck. Morneau doubled in his first at-bat and scored in the second inning. He also singled in the sixth.

DH Justin Morneau sat out his sixth straight game with a neck issue. He has played in only 48 games this season, hitting .256 with five home runs and 22 RBIs.

DH Justin Morneau was not in the lineup on Saturday for the fifth straight game because of a stiff neck. Morneau said he felt it "swinging in the cage" on Monday in a game against the Indians. "Why I took the last at-bat, I don't know," Morneau said. "I figured I could fight through it. And after I swung, I went 'ahhh ... that's probably not a good idea.' But it is what it is." He struck out in the sixth inning and J.B. Shuck hit for him in the eighth. Morneau said his goal is to play on this 10-day trip.

DH Justin Morneau was not in the lineup for the fourth straight game because of neck discomfort. "He's still out," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "It's getting closer. It's just at a point where he's not able to know he's going to make it the whole game. So, if anything, he could possibly pinch-hit at some point, but to start him at DH, he's not there yet."

DH Justin Morneau was not in the lineup for the fourth straight game with discomfort in his neck.

DH Justin Morneau (stiff neck) was out of the lineup Thursday for a third straight game. He is hitting .256 with five home runs.

DH Justin Morneau missed his second straight game Wednesday night against the Indians with neck soreness. The injury occurred Monday in the first game of the series. Morneau, who joined the White Sox following the All-Star break, is hitting .256 with five home runs and 22 RBIs in 172 at-bats. "He's walking around better, but it's still a little bit of a tweak where he can't play," manager Robin Ventura said. "Hopefully, it'll loosen up by the time the game comes around and he can pinch-hit."

DH Justin Morneau was held out of the starting lineup because of soreness in his neck. The 35-year-old joined the team after the All-Star break and is hitting .256 with five home runs and 22 RBIs in 48 games. "We're just going to give it today and see how he feels (Wednesday)," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said.

DH Justin Morneau received his second straight day off against a left-handed starter. Morneau is expected to be in the starting lineup on Monday when Chicago begins a three-game series against Detroit.

DH Justin Morneau received his second straight day off against a left-handed starter. Morneau is expected to be in the starting lineup on Monday when Chicago begins a three-game series against Detroit.

DH Justin Morneau, who homered Tuesday, has reached base safely in 15 of his past 16 appearances against Philadelphia. He is batting .311 with five doubles, six homers and 20 RBIs against the Phillies.

DH Justin Morneau's three-run double in the first inning gives him 110 career RBIs against the Indians. That's the second most career RBI vs. Cleveland of any active player, behind only Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera (132).

DH Justin Morneau's home run in the sixth inning Tuesday accounted for the White Sox' only run. Morneau also singled in the second inning. Morneau is hitting .350 in August. His home run Tuesday was his first against the Indians since Sept. 9, 2012 as a member of the Twins.

DH Justin Morneau had his first four-hit game as a member of the White Sox, getting a key double in the 10th. His last four-hit outing was Sept. 26, 2016 with the Rockies against the Dodgers. He has a hit in 14 of his past 16 games, a .333 average in that stretch. "He had some great at-bats today," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think the left-handed presence that we've been looking for, he's filled that. But even against a lefty he's having a quality at-bat. That was a big one, gets a guy in scoring position. You can get it with a sac fly. He just has professional at-bats. It's a very educated at-bat."

DH Justin Morneau provided the White Sox's only offense on Wednesday with a solo homer off Detroit RHP Michael Fulmer. Morneau also hit a three-run homer off Fulmer when the clubs met in Chicago on July 22. Morneau has three homers and seven RBIs in 15 games with the White Sox. Morneau, who also had a long fly out in the ninth, has provided a boost to an anemic attack.

DH Justin Morneau hit a solo home run in the sixth inning on Saturday. Morneau, who spent his first 11 big league seasons with the Twins, had previously hit 20 home runs at Target Field. Saturday's blast was his first as a visitor. Morneau has now homered against all 30 MLB teams.

DH Justin Morneau clubbed his first home run of the season with a three-run shot Friday night against Detroit. The home run was Morneau's first since May 6, 2015, while with Colorado. Morneau is hitting .278 with one home run and four RBIs in seven games this season for the White Sox.

DH Justin Morneau made the most of his opportunity to start and batting in the cleanup spot Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. The 35-year-old Morneau was activated last Friday but struggled offensively until Wednesday. He finally is showing signs that he might have some life left in his bat.