Joe Mauer

The Twins defeated the Texas Rangers 7-2 Wednesday night. Joe Mauer hit his first homerun this season and had 3 runs scored with 2 RBIs for the Twins. Michael Cuddyer had 2 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs and Jason Kubel had 3 hits and 3 RBIs for the Twins. Brian Duensing threw 6 2/3 innings with 7 hits and 1 earned run allowed with 6 strikeouts to get the win and improve to 8-8 for Minnesota.

The Twins have been doing well of-late, but if they want to continue that, they need to get and stay healthy. If they do, it could be one heck of a second half of the season.

Thursday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox might seem ordinary from the box score. But it wasn't. It was the night Joe Mauer made his first base debut, in hopes that on days he isn’t able to catch, he can still be in the lineup.

Joe Mauer took some ground balls at first base Monday before the Twins' game against the Dodgers. Mauer was instructed by Ron Gardenhire, a former infielder.

The Twins welcomed back Joe Mauer and beat the San Diego Padres 6-5 Friday night at Target Field. Danny Valencia hit a 3-run homerun and Mauer was 1-4 with a first inning RBI single. Brian Duensing threw 6 innings with 2 earned runs allowed to get the win.

Joe Mauer makes his return to the Twins' lineup Friday night and he facing the pressure on helping the Twins get back in the race in the American League Central. Mauer has been out since April 12 and the Twins have gotten little production from the catcher position offensively without him.

The Twins have activated catcher Joe Mauer and relief pitcher Glen Perkins from the disabled list Thursday. Mauer has been out since April 12 with leg weakness and has spent the last few weeks rehabbing in Fort Myers, Florida. Mauer spoke a press conference Thursday and stressed the amount of work that has gone into him returning.

Twins' catcher Joe Mauer is scheduled to be activated from the disabled list Friday and start against the San Diego Padres at catcher. Mauer completed his rehab assignment at Class A Fort Myers Wednesday after facing live pitching against teammate Joe Nathan. Mauer has been out of the lineup since April 12 because of leg weakness.

The Twins are optimistic that catcher Joe Mauer will be activated from the disabled list this week during their current homestand. Mauer has been on the disabled list since mid-April with leg weakness but has been rehabbing at Class A Fort Myers.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer played 3 innings of catcher at extended spring training in Fort Myers, Florida Thursday. He was 0-5 at the plate but said after the game he felt good. No announced timetable for Mauer's return. The Twins placed outfielder Jason Kubel and designated hitter Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list.