NEW YORK — Joe Crede’s back had not been an issue for the first 35 games of the 2009 season, but on Friday night the third baseman had to leave the Twins’ game against the Yankees in the fifth inning with a tight lower back.

Crede was replaced at third base in the bottom of the fifth by Brendan Harris. The Twins said that the move to take Crede out of the game was precautionary and he is listed as day-to-day.

The third baseman has a history of back problems. Crede underwent his second back surgery this past October and it was those back problems which  limited him to just 144 games for the White Sox in the 2007 and 2008 seasons.