Rehab Over, Mauer To Return To Twins Lineup Friday
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Joe Mauer's return to the Minnesota lineup has been set for Friday.
Mauer finished his minor-league rehabilitation assignment by facing teammate Joe Nathan in a live batting practice session in Florida on Wednesday. He hasn't played for the Twins since April 12, plagued by weakness and soreness in his legs and throwing shoulder.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said Mauer will travel to Minnesota on Thursday and start at catcher on Friday to face the San Diego Padres.
Nathan has been out since May 23 with soreness in his right forearm, a condition related to his recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery last year. He will also return to Minnesota on Thursday, but Gardenhire says he'd prefer that Nathan pitch in Triple-A for a few days before rejoining the roster.
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