Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer told KMSP-TV he might not be ready for the start of spring training after undergoing kidney surgery.
Mauer underwent a procedure in December to eliminate a kidney obstruction. At the time, the Twins said he would be 100 percent by spring training, but Mauer told KMSP (Ch. 9) he is "still recovering," adding, "The main goal right now is to get healthy and start swinging and running and try to ease into it." Twins assistant GM Rob Antony told the Star Tribune: "Will he be going all-out the first day of camp? I wouldn't say that. But it won't be an issue."
The surgery forced Mauer to back out of playing for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in March.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III
Gophers men move up one spot to No. 6
The Gophers men's hockey team, which swept St. Cloud State over the weekend, moved up one spot to No. 6 in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll released on Monday. Notre Dame remained No. 1.
