The Twins have a timetable in mind for Joe Mauer's return, and while they won't reveal it, the date is almost certainly in April. Mauer has made "a lot of progress" during his extended spring camp in Florida, and will begin a running program -- the final step in his rehab, because of the impact running has on his inflamed sacroiliac joint -- this week. The All-Star catcher is already hitting, throwing and catching, and doing fitness exercises to get in shape. The Twins vow they won't speed up his rehab based on their own needs, but the offense has sputtered without Mauer hitting in front of 1B Justin Morneau.
PLAYER NEWS: --INF Brendan Harris smacked his first home run of the season, and drove in another run with a sacrifice fly to the center field fence, likely keeping the utility infielder in the lineup for a few more days. Harris is hitting .389, and has three hits in his last two games, making it difficult for manager Ron Gardenhire to keep him out of the lineup, particularly with regular second baseman Alexi Casilla off to a .214 start.
--RHP Nick Blackburn's sinker kept the Angels off-balance all night Friday, and though he allowed eight hits, the Twins were pleased because at least five were ground balls that got through the infield. "If I could pitch like that every night, I'd be thrilled," said Blackburn, just 0-1 on the season. "It's the best I've felt in a long time."
--CF Denard Span struck out twice in his first three at-bats, but beat out an infield hit in the seventh inning and doubled home two runs in the eighth. "He's a guy who stays with it, never has a bad at-bat," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's what you want in a leadoff hitter. He makes them work to get him out." With his two hits, Span raised his batting average to .304.
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Joe Mauer (inflamed sacroiliac joint in his lower back) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He began running, a key step in his recovery, in mid-April. The Twins hope he can return before May 1.
RHP Boof Bonser (torn right labrum and rotator cuff surgery in February 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He is out for the season.
RHP Pat Neshek (right elbow surgery) went on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 21. He will remain in Florida all summer and targets a return by next spring.
ROTATION:
LHP Francisco Liriano
RHP Nick Blackburn
RHP Kevin Slowey
LHP Glen Perkins
RHP Scott Baker
BULLPEN:
RHP Joe Nathan (closer)
RHP Jesse Crain
RHP Matt Guerrier
LHP Craig Breslow
RHP Luis Ayala
RHP R.A. Dickey
RHP Juan Morillo
CATCHERS:
Mike Redmond
Jose Morales
INFIELDERS:
1B Justin Morneau
2B Alexi Casilla
SS Nick Punto
3B Joe Crede
INF Brian Buscher
INF Brendan Harris
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Delmon Young
CF Denard Span
RF Michael Cuddyer
DH Jason Kubel
OF Carlos Gomez
