Mauer gets closer to running
Posted on April 8th, 2009 – 2:10 PMBy La Velle
Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been more and more active this week as he works his way back from a sore sacroiliac joint.
He’s spent this week catching bullpen sessions at the team’s year-round headquarters at Fort Myers, Fla. He’ll take a big step tonight when he catches Scott Baker’s bullpen session, take batting practice with the Miracle and take infield.
Baker will start on Friday in what the Twins hope will be proof that his shoulder soreness is completely gone. If all goes well, Baker will join the Twins next week.
As for Mauer, it appears that he’s getting closer to running. How close? The word I heard was, “soon.”
“He’s not running yet. I have not seen it,” said Jim Rantz, the Twins director of minor leagues, who is in Fort Myers. “He’s doing everything else. Maybe this will be the last thing he does before he starts that.”
The following is all speculation, but once Mauer runs, and if he has no setbacks, it shouldn’t be too long before he tries to play in games down there. He’s been riding a bike and hitting the elliptical, so it’s not like he’s been totally dormant. The question is how long it would take him to get up to game speed - because machines can only do so much.
Clarification: I was reminded a few moments ago that Mauer also has been running in a pool, which really gives him a good workout while reducing the pounding on his back. In fact, if he’s cleared to play in minor league games it might come down to how many at-bats he feels he needs before telling the club he’s ready to go.
The Twins believe Mauer will play before the month is over. I think Twins fans should pretend he’s out until the end of April and be surprised if he comes back before that.
My wild guess: Apr. 27 vs Tampa Bay at the Dome.
I’m at the Dome to work ahead on weekend stuff. Joe C. has the game. In fact, he’s just appeared with the lineup sheet, so you might want to swing over to his site…..
48 Responses to "Mauer gets closer to running"
3 weeks until the end of april seems like not much time to get game ready if he isn’t running yet.
When do we find out about Redmen?
I’m more curious about how he will hold up over the course of the season.
He will be fine, and its baseball it doesnt take long to get “game ready”. Even a catcher doesnt need to build up much physical stamina to catch a game. Not saying its easy, but its not like he is preparing to play 40 minutes in a basketball game.
[…] Be sure to check out La Velle’s update on Joe Mauer. […]
Mauer could DH some, Kubel in LF, Span in CF — all against tough righties.
Kubel’s D is similar to Young’s. Wouldn’t miss a beat in LF.
Rob,
I vaguely recall specifically Mauer saying that he traditionally needs a lot of live swings/work before he’s synched up and ready for the regular season play. I hope they do/don’t rush him back.
Rushing him back will provide a better answer to the gaping hole in front of the backstop right now. A mediocre Mauer still getting caught up with gamespeed would likely be better the a banged up Redmond and a seemingly overmatched Morales.
Not rushing him will allow Morales inch his average closer to 1.000 again. That would be best for everybody and their personal sacoiliac joints. Let alone the Twins playoff chances…
So he’s not up to game speed when he comes back. What’s that mean? That he only bats .290 instead of .330? Joe Mauer out of sync is far better than most AL cathcers in sync. Hopefully he can run and get back soon.
Great news. The lineup isn’t the same without him.
Let’s all be happy that Morales didn’t injure himself yesterday! That was a big step for him!
I hope that Mauer plays at least a week in a rehab assignment with the Miracle to get a feel of real games. If nothing else, it will help Miracle’s standings in the FSL 
Redmond getting bonked by the broken bat only emphasises that the Twins should work hard to get Mauer out of his catcher’s uniform. I don’t care what he says- pay him double and make him a first baseman.
“When do we find out about Redmen?”
I believe the preferred term is “Native Americans”.
Umm, our best hitter plays first base. If you have to move him eventually, I say third base.
Steve - do you have something against Justin Morneau?
Run, Forest, run.
How much more time and $$$ are the Twins going to toss at a 1/2 time catcher? Yah, I know Joe if well loved and the one (ONE!) season he stayed healthy he hit for the league high. But gimme a break, if (every year) he can’t play in April, takes 3-4 weeks off in July and August, how much is he really worth?
How much more time and $$$ are the Twins going to toss at a 1/2 time catcher?
Mauer has averaged 131.5 games over the last 4 seasons only going less than 130 games (109) in 2007. Not bad for a catcher, but me thinks it’s not the numbers that you’re interested in.
dressed and on the bench does not equal playing time.
Sparky,
“the one (ONE!) season he stayed healthy he hit for the league high.”
Two seasons, Sparky.
Its easy to see why you are called Sparky.
dressed and on the bench does not equal playing time.
And 81% does not equal 1/2.
In 2008 only Kurt Suzuki caught more games than Joe Mauer (141 to 139). Plus Joe DHed in an additional 5 games (K. Suzuki only 1).
oh no… our Mathematics world is starting to turn upside down again.
LaVelle,
Aaron Hicks is not on the Beloit Snappers roster.
Does that mean that he is being kept in Extended Spring Training?
Why?
I hope that it is a Beloit weather issue, because only his hitting could possibly be holding him back.
Every guy I ever met named Sparky, was called that because there was no sign of a spark.
sane,
Hicks is indeed in EST and will start the season in Elizabethton, most likely.
why?
as Rantz
and it is not only Hicks… Tom Stuifbergen (you know the Dutch guy who held Hanly, Reyes, Ortiz and company scoreless for 3 innings in the WBC), apparently is not good enough for Beloit or Ft. Myers and is in EST, as well
If Hicks does not reach A-ball this year, then he should quit this chicken-sh*t organization and become a pro golfer.
Sane: I am 100% sure that Hicks will reach A ball this year. The coaching staff probably just wants him to spend a bit of extra time in Florida to practice some aspect of his game. I don’t see any reason to denounce the Twins’ minor league organization for this decision. After all, the Twins have been among the best in baseball at developing young talent.
As for being a pro golfer: that sounds like a fate worse than death!
Iconoclast,
“I don’t see any reason to denounce the Twins’ minor league organization for this decision.”
My denounciation is post-dated for the end of the season.
I said “If Hicks does not reach A-ball this year, then…”
If they treat the kid right, I will have no complaints at that time.
If not, @#$%@#$%!!!!
Fair enough. Unless he gets his legs cut off in a freak lawnmower accident. If that happens, I don’t think I’d really want him playing in A ball.
Most guys named sparky worked as an elect. Previous Sparky doesn’t seem smart enough for that. Maybe Mauer will be well rested and play more games per week than other years. What is the circle to the left and right of home plate for in many fields?
He is soft as church music. The guy cant stay healthy.
“What is the circle to the left and right of home plate for in many fields?”
Fungo hitters’ stations.
Sorry for the repeat.
And apologize for my language earlier.
Let’s play ball!!!!!!!!!!!
good start, Slow!!!
2-run shot Morneau. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
OK, Slow, shut ‘em down again…2-zip in favor of the good guys.
[…] Twins Insider – […]
Morneau can play right field. He can run. Anything to get Mauer out of the catcher’s position- that’s hard on a man.
Span Man!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!
Time to bring in Dickey. We have an off day tomorrow, right? Let Perk start Friday and Liriano on Saturday. Slowey sux tonite, plain and simple, and we need to cut our losses right now.
More Hardball is back with another photoshopped baseball card post. This time we take on the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Players spoofed: Kerry Wood, Aaron Laffey, Trevor Crowe, Kevin Slowley, Scott Baker, Denard Span, R.A. Dickey, and Delmon Young.
Link- http://morehardball.blogspot.com/2009/04/crackin-on-cleveland-and-minnesota.html
We appreciate the plug, and look for a “shout-out” in return from us.
Steve, are you stupid? Morneau in right? Worried about Mauer? Mauer will be catcher for the next many seasons until he can produce big offensive numbers to make a move to another position. Right now, as we know, he hits for average and drives in a few runs. My question is, what would we do with our outfielders? Which of the 4 is gone? If Mauer ends up in the field it will be at 3rd, with Plouffe at short, Casilla at 2nd and Morneau at first. Gomez in RF, Span in CF and Hicks in RF. Redmond will be a bench coach and Perkins will be our ace.
oops, Hicks in LF
JT,
Hicks in LF with an 80+ arm?
No, Steve is not stupid, compared to that statement.
Anyone see that FOXSPORTS story that the Angels pitcher was killed in a car accident just hours after starting and throwing 6 shutout innings?!?! Sad news, kid was only 22.
