Morneau reportedly clears waivers

MINNEAPOLIS -- Justin Morneau, who was reportedly placed on revocable waivers on Monday, was in the lineup for the Twins at first base on Wednesday against the Indians.

The waiver deadline for Morneau expired at noon CT on Wednesday, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that he cleared waivers.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan refused to comment on the situation, as the waivers process is confidential. The other 29 teams had a chance to claim Morneau, going in reverse order of the current standings, but none chose to put in a claim.

Morneau, who is making $14 million this season in the last year of his six-year, $80 million contract, is now free to be traded to any team this season. Morneau is set to earn roughly $3.6 million for the rest of the year, but must be traded by the end of August to be eligible to play in the postseason. The Yankees, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox are among teams that expressed interest in Morneau before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

"At this level, most of us have been through this," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said about the waivers process. "It's not easy. I try to keep it lighthearted around [here]. 'You still here?' That's the first thing I said to Morneau this morning. But we all know it's not easy for him or anyone involved."