Lee on DL, Rodriguez back, Kernels add Bixler

CEDAR RAPIDS - The parent Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday that starting pitcher Brett Lee has been placed on the Cedar Rapids Kernels' disabled list with a strained left forearm.

He will be replaced on the active roster by lefty pitcher Brandon Bixler, who will join the club from Rookie-level Elizabethton. Also rejoining the Kernels is catcher Jairo Rodriguez, who spent a week at Triple-A Rochester.

He was a temporary fill in for catcher Drew Butera, who was recalled to the majors to replace all-star Joe Mauer, who was on the Paternity List because his wife gave birth to twin daughters. The Kernels' manager is Joe's brother, Jake Mauer.

Lee has made 16 starts and 18 appearances for Cedar Rapids, posting a 7-4 record and 3.23 earned run average. He has thrown 100.1 innings.

Bixler was a 16th-round draft pick of the Twins in June out of Florida Gulf Coast University. He was 1-1 with a 0.73 ERA in 12.1 innings at Elizabethton.

The Kernels play Tuesday night at Burlington.