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Joe Mauer News & Rumors

Joe Mauer no longer Joe Rehab for Minnesota Twins
January 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Twins fans looking for a reason to feel good about 2012 should consider this: At this time last year, Joe Mauer was doing nothing but rehab on his surgically repaired left knee. This year, he has started baseball activity in preparation for spring training. Mauer said Saturday he is hitting off a tee and throwing as he prepares for Feb. 18, the day pitchers and catchers are due to report to Fort Myers, Fla. "This point last year, for me it's been night and day physically, how I feel," Mauer said Saturday at TwinsFest at the Metrodome. "I really was just kind of doing rehab stuff with the knee. I don't think I grabbed a bat until I don't even know, later. I feel good. I'm excited to get out"
So, Joe Mauer, what's new?
January 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins winter caravan took a quiet detour Thursday morning, when Joe Mauer and Danny Valencia appeared before a group of 26 second-grade charter school students at the Mexican Consulate in St. Paul. With the floor open for questions, one nervous youngster finally built up the courage to ask, "Is it really hard to play baseball?" Valencia grabbed the microphone and said, "For me, it's really hard. For Joe, it's pretty easy." Mauer could only smile. Easy? Last year was anything but. In the first season of his eight-year, $184 million contract, Mauer was limited to 82 games and just 47 starts at catcher. He spent time on the disabled list with bilateral leg weakness and pneumonia, batting"
It's a wonderful life: Joe Mauer is Minnesota's George Bailey
December 24
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Bob Sansevere
"The greatest of all holiday movies is "It's A Wonderful Life." If you haven't seen it, why the heck not? If you have seen it, then you know it's a touching story about how, as angel first-class wannabe Clarence Odbody tells main character George Bailey, "Each man's life touches so many other lives." George Bailey, with the help of Clarence, gets to see how dark and different the lives of people in his hometown of Bedford Falls would turn out if he'd never been born. This wonderful movie is the inspiration for the George Bailey Award, which goes to the Minnesota sports figure whose life has touched so many other lives. There are plenty of candidates."
Nathan says Cuddyer 'probably' more valuable Twin than Mauer, Morneau
December 9
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"It's still not clear whether Michael Cuddyer will be back with the Twins. But the free-agent outfielder might be more valuable to the Twins than Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan said Thursday. "Everyone always talks about the Mauers and the Morneaus, but Cuddy's as important, if not more, and I think last year showed how he probably is a little more important to that club," said Nathan, the Twins' career saves leader who last month signed a free-agent deal with the Texas Rangers. "(It's) just with his versatility," Nathan said. "He plays every day. You won't hear anything (from him) if he's banged up - he goes out and plays the game. If he's not in the lineup, something's got to be"
Mauer says he's healthy, happy
December 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The home clubhouse at Target Field was cold and largely empty Friday, except for a sideburned, lefthanded-hitting catcher who had just completed his latest muscle-building session designed to help him forget the 2011 season. Joe Mauer, wearing a Gophers sweatshirt and gray sweatpants, summoned a handful of reporters -- no cameras, please -- to the ballpark to let those interested know that he's healthy, stronger and already looking ahead to 2012. And when he says healthy, he means healthy. "Here I am. I'm healthy. I'm happy," Mauer said. "I can rule out crazy things I've heard like Lyme disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus. I think we've heard it all. I don't have any"
Mauer says pneumonia is his only current ailment
September 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer's eyes looked tired, his voice was strained, and he had to pause several times to cough, but the Twins catcher offered several reassurances Monday that he is dealing with pneumonia and nothing else. "When they discovered pneumonia down at the Mayo Clinic [on Sept. 15], that's what they do, they check over everything," Mauer said. "That's what they came up with, and that's what they're treating." It was the first time Mauer was available to the media since he last played on Sept. 14. Doctors told him to stay home during the Twins' last homestand, but he got clearance to return to Target Field on Monday, as the Twins opened their final three-game series against the Royals."
Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter has no regrets about big-bucks deals for Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer
September 21
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The last-place Twins had just lost their 93rd game of the season Monday afternoon to the Yankees in New York, and Twins President Dave St. Peter was in his Target Field office. The Twins played without Joe Mauer, who is being paid $23 million this year and is finished for the season because of pneumonia, and Justin Morneau, who is paid $14 million and is done for the season because of concussion symptoms and a minor knee procedure. Mauer, 28, who is in the first season of a $184 million, eight-year contract, played in just 82 games this season. Morneau, 30, who is in the fourth season of an $80 million, six-year contract, played in just 69 games. Both players' contracts are guaranteed. I"
Joe Mauer's season is over
September 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer's season is over. The upper respiratory infection that he came down with in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago never got better. He began to cough. He was sent to the Mayo Clinic to be checked out. ``Despite medication his symptoms have not resolved,'' Twins trainer Rick McWane said. ``In Kansas City, he started to complain of a persistent cough. Yesterday, he was sent to the Mayo Clinic and was diagnosed with mild pneumonia and the reccomendation is medications and rest for two weeks.'' Guess what? There's only a week-and-a-half left in the regular season. That means Mauer probably has played his final game of the season for the Twins."
Knee surgery had Mauer a leg down from Day 1
September 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The boos are getting louder at Target Field, and Joe Mauer knows it. It's been a brutal season for the Twins, caused by a perfect storm of injuries and roster-wide failure, but it's been particularly disappointing for Mauer, the hometown icon, in the first year of his eight-year, $184 million contract. The team is 59-87, and Mauer has played only 80 games, batting .290 with three homers and 30 RBI. "I understand that I'm probably going to get more of [the criticism] than anybody in this clubhouse," Mauer said. "Just given the fact that I'm from [Minnesota], I have a big contract -- all that stuff. So I'm going to take a lot of heat." Mauer, who has started only 46 games at catcher, has"
Joe Mauer says he and Minnesota Twins will rise again
September 9
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Among factors Joe Mauer considered important before he would agree to a $184 million, eight-year contract with the Minnesota Twins last year was that the team be a championship contender. This year, the last-place Twins (59-84) are the third-worst team in baseball. Only the Baltimore Orioles (56-85) and Houston Astros (48-95) have worse records. But, Mauer said Tuesday, he hasn't changed his mind - he believes the Twins will become contenders again. "Absolutely," he said. "It's been frustrating mentally, and I've had my personal things going on with my health. But we've had a lot of other things that have led to where we're at. Hopefully, we can make those adjustments and get back where we"
Twins offense comes alive; Mauer likely to catch
September 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins righthander Carl Pavano was on the mound Wednesday, so Drew Butera started behind the plate because the pair have clicked in the past. Rene Rivera was the starting catcher Tuesday as Liam Hendriks made his major league debut. That made sense, since they have worked together at Class AAA Rochester. Rivera and Butera have worked behind the plate for more than two weeks now. Where, oh where, is Joe Mauer? He hasn't caught a game since Aug. 20. Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the White Sox marked the 10th game in a row where he started either at first base or DH. "I'm still working through this illness," said Mauer, who went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run as the Twins ended a five-game"
Mauer returns with home run
September 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer returned to action Sunday after missing two games -- and resumed his domination of Angels righthander Joel Pineiro. In the fourth inning, Mauer drove a 3-2 sinker that was up a little and on the inside part of the plate over the right-center field wall for a solo homer and the Twins' only run in their 4-1 loss to Los Angeles. Mauer was 1-for-2 with a walk vs. Pineiro, dropping his career batting average to .667 (16-for-24) against him. It had been .682. "I don't know what it is," Mauer said. "He's got a lot of movement on a lot of his pitches. For some reason I have some success off of him." It was only Mauer's second home run of the season. His other one came July 27 at Texas."
Shorthanded Twins roll with Mauer on bench again
September 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins manager Ron Gardenhire looked at his roster Friday and was reminded of the never-ending run of injuries. "I need more players," he said. "I still have only three players on the bench, and I have three catchers on my roster." He wasn't complaining. He stated it matter-of-factly. Perhaps he has been desensitized after a season's worth of updates by trainer Rick McWane. The Twins have used the disabled list 24 times this season, with six players missing at least 47 games and 11 missing at least 20. Then, before the first pitch was thrown Friday, Joe Mauer was scratched because of an upper respiratory infection. Gardenhire was down to two bench players for the start of the series"
Mauer, Morneau sit out
August 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer's latest injury was almost healed Monday, but Justin Morneau was hurt again. On and on it goes for the 2011 Twins. Mauer hasn't been in the lineup since last Tuesday, when he hurt his neck while playing first base, trying to make an over-the-shoulder catch in right field against Baltimore. "What happened was, I hyperextended my neck and sent my muscles into a spasm," Mauer said before the Twins' 3-0 loss to the White Sox on Monday night. "So I'm just trying to get past that soreness and get to where I can move my neck and get out there and play." Mauer took batting practice and fielded grounders at first base, where playing time might be available because of Morneau's latest"
Morneau and Mauer both sitting tonight against the White Sox
August 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Justin Morneau jammed his left shoulder diving for a ball in Sunday's game and woke up stiff and sore Monday, so he's not in tonight's lineup as the Twins begin a three-game series against the White Sox. "Sometimes you land a little funny, and we'll see what happens," Manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Hopefully he'll be playing tomorrow." Joe Mauer (sore neck) is not in the lineup for the sixth straight game. Describing the injury today, he said he hyper-extended his neck when he tried to catch that pop fly against the Orioles last Tuesday. He plans to take batting practice with the team tonight and hopes to be available to pinch hit off the bench."
Playing hurt
August 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"It was bound to happen. Joe Mauer's decision to ask out of the lineup with a sore neck last week on the same day that Michael Cuddyer asked in with a sore wrist unleashed a torrent of fury from the media, with Mauer being labeled "soft" -- either explicitly or implicitly -- by no less than three local scribes. The crux of all three pieces linked above is that Mauer ought to set a tone for his teammates by forcing himself into the lineup and playing through pain. Apparently, there's some sort of unspoken honor code that is being violated by Mauer's lack of eagerness to play when he deems himself physically unable. One of the articles went so far as to suggest that the backstop would be"
Mauer rankled by criticism, commits to better conditioning
August 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"He called this season a "grind" healthwise, refuted claims that he balked at playing hurt and vowed to step up offseason training. One Twins player looking forward to the offseason is catcher Joe Mauer -- but not because he wants to get away from recent criticism about his ability to play through injuries. After speaking with the training staff, Mauer is making arrangements to upgrade his offseason conditioning program. The offseason is the best time for players to add strength, and Mauer wants to enter 2012 spring training in the best shape possible. "The biggest thing is having a regular offseason," Mauer said. "This year has been pretty tough for me, probably the toughest season I've"
Joe Mauer comes off looking badly out of touch
August 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Bob Sansevere
"Itemizing a few things ... Item: A stiff neck is the latest thing to keep Joe Mauer out of the Twins' lineup. He has missed 60 games, mostly because of injuries, and yet he has no idea that many perceive him to be soft. I think: Mauer's nickname should be Clueless Joe. Item: The Twins trade Jim Thome to the Cleveland Indians after the Indians put in a waiver claim. I think: The Twins got what they wanted out of Thome: the chance to promote and market his 600th home run. Once Thome got No. 600, it was a no-brainer that he'd be gone. And lucky him, he gets to escape the Twins' mess. It's the baseball equivalent of getting early parole."
Mauer, Nishioka sit as reeling Twins square off with first-place Tigers
August 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Joe Christensen
"The Twins five-game losing streak has been historically bad. In tonight's game notes, there's this little ditty from the Elias Sports Bureau: The five losses have been by these scores (3-0, 4-1, 8-1, 6-1 and 6-1). To find the last time in franchise history this team has suffered five consecutive home losses while scoring one or fewer runs, go back to September 1909, when the Washington Senators put their fans through that type of snooze fest. They'll try to find some offense tonight against Rick Porcello. On Saturday, Justin Verlander will be trying for win No. 20. Update: Joe Mauer is not in the lineup again (stiff neck), and Tsuyoshi Nishioka (strained oblique) has been scratched."
Gardenhire: Mauer will remain a catcher
August 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"Joe Mauer has played first base and right field in addition to catcher this season, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said a healthy Mauer will spend most of his time as a catcher next season. "Well, he's a catcher, and we signed him for a eight-year contract to be a catcher," Gardenhire said. "He's just been beat up a little bit. He's going to have to have a really good winter ... and come into spring training in shape and be ready to catch. I think the one thing we've seen is there are other options that we can move him around and maybe protect him a little bit, but he's a catcher." Gardenhire said Mauer doesn't have an interest in playing those other positions full-time. "Absolutely, he"
Joe Mauer plays right with Twins short of outfielders
August 19
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Lack of experience didn't hurt Joe Mauer's play at first base, where he has been terrific - and errorless - in 12 games this season. So there was no reason to think he wouldn't be able to play right field, too. That's where manager Ron Gardenhire put him as the Twins opened a four-game series against the New York Yankees on Thursday night at Target Field, and his first adventure in the outfield ended without a hitch. "He looked good on TV," said Gardenhire, who watched the last eight innings of an 8-4 loss after being ejected while arguing Justin Morneau's overturned home run in the bottom of the first. Mauer was pressed into right because the Twins are light on players. Michael Cuddyer"
Luke Hughes lost, Joe Mauer moves to right field
August 18
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With Luke Hughes having "travel problems", Michael Cuddyer out with a strained neck, Denard Span still having concussion symptoms, Matt Tolbert's wrist being all messed up, Jason Kubel having family issues, and Delmon Young now playing for the Tigers, there was no one left but Joe Mauer to play right field tonight against the New York Yankees at 7:10pm. Apparently, Hughes was unable to make it to Minneapolis in time for the game after his call-up from AAA Rochester, leaving only nine healthy position players available. The lucky recipient of the empty spot was between Mauer or Justin Morneau, and I'd like to see the (formerly known as) Canadian Crusher try to run around the outfield. Then"
Health of Mauer, Morneau alters Twins' direction
August 15
MLB.com
 
"Think of the Minnesota Twins lineup, and you think of the modern-day "M"
More of Mauer at first? Opinions vary
August 7
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Joe Mauer played his 11th game at first base Saturday, and by just about any standard, his occasional appearances there this season have been a success. The question now is whether it's a harbinger. Mauer entered Saturday's game against the White Sox batting .486 (18 for 37) as a first baseman and without an error at a position he hadn't played since he was a prospect in Class A. Perhaps most important, first base is "a lot easier on my body than catching," he said. But asked if he sees playing a position in addition to catcher next season, Mauer stopped short. "A lot of different situations led to this," he said. "We are where we're at, and hopefully I'll have a good offseason, rest up"
Joe Mauer's first homer launches Minnesota Twins' victory over Texas
July 28
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The last time Joe Mauer hit a home run, the Twins were 29 games over .500 and marching toward their sixth division championship in nine years, Brett Favre was the Vikings' starting quarterback, and Tim Pawlenty was Minnesota's governor. So nothing really new going on Wednesday night when the Twins' $183 million enigma finally made the home run column in 2011 with a solo shot that ignited a 7-2 victory over Texas at Rangers Ballpark. Mauer's line shot into the right-field seats ended a drought of 110 games and 183 at-bats since his last homer on Sept. 15 against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Not only did it allow him to move the offensive needle more after a horrendous and"
Mauer's HR helps fuel one-sided win
July 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"It was a rare powerful moment from the Twins' über-catcher -- a jolt from Joltin' Joe Mauer. Mauer got hold of a Colby Lewis pitch in the first inning Wednesday night and gave it a 379-foot ride into the right field seats. The Twins jumped out to an early lead, piled on late and got a strong start by Brian Duensing in a 7-2 victory over the Texas Rangers. After being pulverized 20-6 on Monday -- and raising questions if they might be sellers before Sunday's nonwaiver trade deadline -- the Twins have bounced back to win two games and can win the four-game series Thursday night when Scott Baker starts. Wednesday's victory also moved them within six games of AL Central-leading Detroit. Jason"
Twins may sit Joe Mauer on Tuesday against Rangers' C.J. Wilson
July 26
Dallas Morning News
 
"Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire could pay a high compliment to Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson on Tuesday night. Gardenhire said Monday that he is considering holding out Joe Mauer, a three-time American League batting champion, for Wilson's start against the Twins at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mauer, a career .325 hitter, is 1-for-19 against Wilson. The hit was a run-scoring single on May 19, 2008. Since then, Mauer is 0-for-10. Mauer's physical status will figure in Gardenhire's decision. Mauer missed two months this season because of "bilateral leg weakness." Gardenhire has given Mauer an occasional day off since he returned from the disabled list June 15. Mauer is not the only"
Joe Mauer, Twins both benefit when he plays at first base
July 21
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Joe Mauer was worth even more than his two hits, run scored and RBI on Wednesday. By playing first base he also cleared the way for Jim Thome's double, run scored and RBI in a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Mauer even saved a run with his glove as he continued to play flawless defense at his new position. "The more and more I go out there, I get a little more comfortable," Mauer said. "So it's been good." In a season in which nearly every Twins plan has gone haywire, Mauer's move to first has been more than good; it's been a rousing success. The Twins improved to 3-1 with Mauer at first on Wednesday, and Mauer is batting .563 (9 for 16) while filling in for injured all-star Justin"
The MIA boys: Mauer, Morneau
July 14
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"There is only one American League team that has two former Most Valuable Players on its roster. It's the Twins, with catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau. They are the team's No. 3 and No. 4 hitters and one of the most devastating one-two punches in baseball --when they are on the field together. And the uncertainty of how often the two will be in the lineup in the second half is one of the biggest questions facing the Twins as they try to overcome a 6 1/2-game deficit in the AL Central. "Those two are a dynamic duo when they are back-to-back," Detroit Tigers righthander Justin Verlander said. "It is never going to be easy to get through those two guys, especially when there"
Joe Mauer makes a great first impression at first
July 8
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Joe Mauer might have been too good at first base Thursday night. After his flawless performance in a 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, the Twins catcher might have a hard time avoiding it. "I'm hoping he'll really like it, because we could use him right there and get a lot more out of him as we go along," said manager Ron Gardenhire, nearly breathless with excitement after his team won the opener of a crucial four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. Playing first for the first time in his major league career, Mauer made every play that came his way and went 3 for 5 with two runs batted in as the Twins won for the seventh time in nine games and picked up a game on third-place Chicago"
Mauer makes all the plays at first base
July 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer knows how to catch. He last played first base nine years ago in the minors. But his catcher's mask and mitt were packed away in the visitor's clubhouse Thursday as he took his temporary new position. He was out of his comfort zone and didn't want to hurt the team. "That's probably why I was the most nervous," Mauer said. "I wanted to make the plays for my teammates and try and win the ballgame." Without his mask on, everyone at U.S. Cellular Field could see Mauer's face and read his expressions. By the end of the game, he had cracked a smile a few times as the Twins beat the White Sox 6-2 and Mauer made playing first base look easy. "It was different," he said. "It was a lot of"
Mauer to make debut at first base
July 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"After weeks of considering the possibility, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Joe Mauer will make his debut at first base Thursday -- a move designed to keep Mauer in the lineup while giving him a break from the daily stresses of playing catcher. If the experiment works, Gardenhire said he could see this being an occasional option. "We won't really know until we get him over there and see, but honestly he's pretty fluid over there," Gardenhire said of Mauer, who was not in the lineup Wednesday but came in to pinch hit in the ninth and struck out to end the game. "He's got soft hands, he moves around there pretty well, all the fundamental parts." Mauer last played first 10 years ago, in a"
Twins will try Joe Maurer at first base tonight against White Sox
July 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"First-base duty for Joe Mauer is on deck. Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday he is planning to play Mauer at first base — for the first time in his major-league career — when the Twins play the White Sox tonight at U.S. Cellular Field. ''Joe Mauer will probably play first base, with Jim Thome at DH and Drew Butera catching,'' Gardenhire said. Mauer wasn't in the starting lineup Wednesday for the Twins' 12-5 home loss to the Tampa Bay Rays — he took a foul tip off his shoulder Tuesday and had some soreness in the joint — but he struck out as a pinch hitter for Butera in the ninth inning. ''Catchers do get days off in the big leagues,'' Gardenhire said."
After 863 games at catcher or DH, Joe Mauer is likely to play first base for the first time
July 7
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday that Joe Mauer almost certainly will start at first base tonight against the Chicago White Sox, a move that keeps Mauer in the lineup while allowing Drew Butera to catch Carl Pavano and Jim Thome to be team's designated hitter. It will be the first time the 28-year-old catcher, in the first year of an eight-year contract that pays $23 million annually, has played any position other than catcher or designated hitter in his 864-game big-league career. Mauer evaded a question Wednesday afternoon about how comfortable he is at first base, saying simply, "Well, I finally got a couple days of ground balls in. (Gardenhire) asked me to go over there and"
Mauer to 1B tomorrow, Baker might miss Sunday start
July 6
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer will get today off after experiencing some general soreness in his shoulder following yesterday's 3-2 win over the Rays, but will start at first base tomorrow night when the Twins travel to Chicago for a four-game series with the White Sox. "I want to do anything I can to help the team," said Mauer, who has talked to Michael Cuddyer and some other Twins for tips. "Obviously for me personally, it's going to be a grind the rest of the way, physically. So if this allows me to take a day from behind the plate and give your body a little break, it'll be a good thing." Mauer hasn't played first in 10 years, but manager Ron Gardenhire says Mauer's fundamentals are looking good. "We"
Coming soon for Twins: Joe Mauer at first base
July 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Twins are about ready to throw Joe Mauer into the pool and see if he can swim. The question regarding the lifelong catcher playing first base is no longer if, but when. "We're going to do that no matter what. He's going to play," manager Ron Gardenhire said before Saturday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field. "He's going to get out there pretty soon. I think he's pretty much ready to go." In fact, Gardenhire nearly penciled Mauer in at first on Saturday because Luke Hughes came to the park with a sore knee, though he was later deemed OK to play. Mauer said he's as ready as he'll ever be. "It's probably going to be one of those things where I just go out and do"
Former Twins star Rod Carew to current Twins star Joe Mauer on playing first base: 'It's fun'
July 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"Rod Carew, who started his 19-year Hall of Fame baseball career with the Twins as a second baseman, switched positions and played most of the last half of his career as a first baseman. Carew, who played his final seven seasons with the California Angels, said playing first base shouldn't be a problem for Joe Mauer if the four-time all-star catcher moves there temporarily to fill in for injured Justin Morneau and help preserve his tender knees. "It's not bad; it's a very fun position to play because you're handling the ball from everybody when you're at first base," Carew said. "It was easy for me because I played second base, and the footwork that I had to do at second base really helped"
First base not far off for Mauer
July 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer's debut at first base could come any day. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he considered starting Mauer at first base Saturday to give Luke Hughes a chance to rest a sore knee. But Hughes felt good enough to play, so Gardenhire used Mauer at designated hitter, with plans to have him catch again Sunday. "He's going to get out there [at first base] pretty soon," Gardenhire said. "I think he's pretty much ready to go out there, any time we say let's go do it." Mauer agreed that playing first base in a game will be the best way to learn the position's nuances. He's been taking ground balls during batting practice and working on throws to second base, but everything else the position"
Twins condensing Joe Mauer's prep time at first base
July 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"If Joe Mauer plays first base this season, it will be without a net. There isn't time to assimilate all the situations he might see in a game, whether it's a bunt play, relay throw or 3-6-3 double-play opportunity. "We have to just talk to him about that stuff, and we're not done talking to him," manager Ron Gardenhire said. Mauer has taken batting practice grounders at first before the past four games. When asked about how much closer the catcher might be to playing another position, Gardenhire heaped sarcastic praise on Mauer, "how much progress he's made playing ground balls in BP" before concluding, "Hell, I won't know how good he'll be until I put him out at first base." Morneau"
Look who's taking ground balls at first base: Twins catcher Joe Mauer
June 28
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"After years of speculation and debate over when Joe Mauer might move from behind home plate and begin playing another position, the St. Paul native took his first step in the direction toward more versatility Monday afternoon at Target Field by taking ground balls at first base. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire first brought up the possibility of Mauer playing some first base when the team announced Friday that Justin Morneau would need neck surgery that will keep him in the disabled list for at least six weeks. Mauer said he spent his time at first base Monday listening to what Gardenhire had to say about playing the position - one he said he hasn't practiced since he was in the minor leagues"
Mauer takes grounders at first
June 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Using an old first baseman's mitt owned by Michael Cuddyer, Joe Mauer took grounders at first base Monday afternoon as manager Ron Gardenhire looked on and offered some tips. Mauer has agreed to provide Gardenhire with another option on days he's not catching. Mauer hasn't played first base since 2002 when he was in the minors. "I haven't played there in 10 years," Mauer said. "It's been a while. I'm trying to learn the best I can, that if the situation comes up then I'll be comfortable out there." Mauer took grounders during early workouts and regular batting practice. Gardenhire stood nearby both times. Jason Kubel also took grounders at first during BP and could be an option as well. "I"
Ron Gardenhire explores ways to get Joe Mauer in games
June 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Joe Mauer didn't start Sunday's series finale at Miller Park, entering instead as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. That's not uncommon for many catchers in a day game following a night game. Manager Ron Gardenhire pointed out that if the Twins weren't playing in a National League park, Mauer would have been the designated hitter. He also pointed out that if Mauer could play another position, he would have played Sunday. "If he could play first base, he would probably be playing first base today, or third base, or somewhere," Gardenhire said. "That's why I want to explore all the options we have to keep his bat in the lineup as much as we possibly can, especially with all these people"
Twins' Mijares, Mauer put beef behind them
June 26
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Pitchgate is apparently over and done with after a meeting between Jose Mijares and Joe Mauer, who had a public dispute over pitch selection following Friday's 4-3 loss to the Brewers. "Everything's good. I told him, 'Sorry,' " Mijares said Saturday. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire also made a move to nip any discontent in the bud with a brief team meeting to "clear the air" before Saturday's 11-1 loss at Miller Park. "Anytime these things happen, for me it doesn't matter; just have a little meeting and get it out of the way," Gardenhire said. "Then we're better off; then we don't have to keep walking around it." Gardenhire inadvertently started the rhubarb when he criticized the pitch"
Twins' Mijares, Mauer put beef behind them
June 26
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Pitchgate is apparently over and done with after a meeting between Jose Mijares and Joe Mauer, who had a public dispute over pitch selection following Friday's 4-3 loss to the Brewers. "Everything's good. I told him, 'Sorry,' " Mijares said Saturday. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire also made a move to nip any discontent in the bud with a brief team meeting to "clear the air" before Saturday's 11-1 loss at Miller Park. "Anytime these things happen, for me it doesn't matter; just have a little meeting and get it out of the way," Gardenhire said. "Then we're better off; then we don't have to keep walking around it." Gardenhire inadvertently started the rhubarb when he criticized the pitch"
Twins' Joe Mauer moving to first base, but only part time
June 25
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Justin Morneau's latest injury could be what finally pushes Joe Mauer into a different position. Not for keeps, and certainly not quickly, but manager Ron Gardenhire said Friday he has asked the Twins catcher to get a first baseman's glove. "I've always told him, 'If I can help the team any way, that's what I'm going to do,' " Mauer said. "I think he knows I haven't done it (before), but, yeah, I'm definitely capable of doing it. But obviously this is the major league level. "I want to help the team." In parts of eight major league seasons, Mauer has never played a defensive position other than catcher. But a long string of leg injuries has many wondering if the 6-foot-5, 230-pound player"
Might Mauer play in infield?
June 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Friday that Joe Mauer could see time at first base or even third base as the team looks for ways to keep Mauer's bat in the lineup with Justin Morneau expected to be on the disabled list until at least mid-August. Mauer took ground balls at third base during batting practice, and Gardenhire said he told the four-time All-Star catcher to get a first baseman's glove, too. "We might look at Joe Mauer playing other positions, mixing in the infield somewhere," Gardenhire said. "I mean possibilities -- I'm trying everything. I've talked to Joe about it. I've talked to everybody about it. We're not afraid to move people around and keep his bat in the lineup on"
Mauer, Nishioka rest with minor ailments
June 24
MLB.com
 
"Twins catcher Joe Mauer and shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka were held out of Thursday's lineup for precautionary reasons, but are expected to be back in the starting lineup Friday in Milwaukee. Mauer, who is dealing with a sore back, told manager Ron Gardenhire he was healthy enough to play, but Gardenhire didn't want to take any chances considering Mauer missed 58 games with bilateral leg weakness before returning Friday. "He actually said he would like to be in there but he's stiff, sore back, and I said we did this at the beginning of the year so we're not going to start it again," Gardenhire said. "We don't want to be in the same situation. He wanted to face Lincecum, but I just said,"
Joe Mauer is a fan of Buster Posey
June 22
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Twins catcher Joe Mauer circled this trip to San Francisco on his calendar over the winter, and not because of an abiding love of sourdough. Mauer is a fan of fellow catchers. He was eager to see Buster Posey in action. Instead, Posey is out for the season following a vicious collision that crumpled his left ankle. Twins broadcaster Dan Gladden told KNBR on Tuesday that the Giants' reigning rookie of the year only had himself to blame, and Mauer had to play diplomat. What is Mauer's opinion on a potential rule change to protect catchers on plays at the plate? "I thought I might get that question here," the former A.L. MVP said. "Being a catcher, I guess I wouldn't mind it. But the game has"
Joe Mauer was eager to watch Buster Posey
June 22
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Joe Mauer hasn't met Buster Posey, but he's rooting for him. Baseball's best overall catcher, Mauer was looking forward to this week's Twins-Giants series to take a firsthand look at the National League's reigning top rookie. "I was kind of excited when I saw San Francisco on the schedule - it was a chance for me to see Buster up close," Mauer said Tuesday. "He had a great start to his career and will be a good player in this league for a long time. You hate to see plays like that happen." Regarding the home-plate collision that knocked out Posey for the season, Mauer said, "It's unfortunate, considering what he means to this team. You feel for him. I mean, he's 24 years old. He's still"