Last Updated on May 8, 2010 11:53 am by admin
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Minnesota star Joe Mauer’s deeply bruised left heel is feeling much better.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said on Saturday that Mauer is “getting real close” to returning to the lineup.
Mauer took batting practice before the first game of a split doubleheader against Baltimore and jogged around the bases. He was set to test his foot by squatting in the catcher’s position in the batting cage during the game, and Gardenhire didn’t rule out using him to pinch hit this weekend.
Mauer did some running on a track at Target Field on Friday, when the game was postponed by rain. He hasn’t played in a week.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy won’t play this weekend. His left wrist is still sore, and Gardenhire said he’s not ready to get on the field.