Mauer rejoins Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Twins have been treading water through the first month of the season, doing everything they can to keep pace with their AL Central rivals while Joe Mauer recovered from a mysterious back injury.
Despite a tough early schedule and mediocre performances by top starters Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano, the Twins got through the month at 11-11 and just a half-game out of first place.
Now Mauer is finally ready to go. He will be in the lineup Friday night against Kansas City at the Metrodome, and the Twins hope the return of their All-Star catcher and reigning AL batting champion will be just the boost they need to get on a roll.
“Obviously that guy in the lineup is going to make a huge difference,” starter Nick Blackburn said. “I’m excited to see him out there and I think we’re all looking forward to it.”
It’s been a difficult five months for the pride of St. Paul. He had surgery in December to repair a painful blockage in his kidney, then developed back problems that caused him to miss all of spring training. The injury went through several diagnoses before team doctors settled on inflammation in the sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis.
Mauer started the season on the disabled list, but has shown steady improvement while rehabbing in Florida. In five games with Class-A Fort Myers, Mauer hit .400 in 15 at-bats with two doubles, two walks and four RBI.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said he will insert Mauer in his customary third spot in the batting order, which will allow slugger Justin Morneau to slide into his more natural cleanup role.
“He’s a great player,” Gardenhire said. “When you have that guy calling a game and controlling a running game, and the way he swings the bat in the middle of your lineup, he’s a good player.”
Mauer has won two of the American League’s last three batting titles, but the Twins may miss him even more on defense. Veteran backup Mike Redmond has been hampered by a groin injury and a sore shoulder, so the team has been using youngster Jose Morales, who has a good bat but has struggled defensively.