It will almost feel like opening day in the Metrodome on Friday, because the Twins will be whole for the first time. Joe Mauer is back, and the Twins are happy that they stayed afloat while perhaps their most important player was absent.
"It's not easy playing without such a key part of this team, but we didn't fall apart," outfielder Michael Cuddyer said. "We're not satisfied with .500, but at the same time, we know we're about to become a better team." The Twins went 11-11 in April, and Mauer's inflamed sacroiliac joint, which caused him to miss all of spring training and spend an extra month rehabbing, isn't the only reason that's a respectable showing.
The Twins played a difficult opening-month schedule that featured all four of the American League's 2008 playoff teams plus all three of the teams with the best records this season. "There are no easy games," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
"More important than the record is the standings. We're (one) game out," Cuddyer said. "We've managed to stay in the race while Joe got healthy. We're in a pretty good position now."
Mauer batted .400 during his rehab assignment with Class A Fort Myers, but the Twins say they don't expect the defending AL batting champion to carry them right away.
"It would be nice if we can get everybody rolling the way we're capable of and just kind of plug Joe in there and not put too much pressure on him," Justin Morneau said. "He hasn't had too many at-bats to get ready for the season. We need to let him get settled. Hopefully we can pick him up for a while, and then he can do what he does."
