MINNEAPOLIS — On the disabled list with another leg problem, Twins all-star catcher Joe Mauer said he has no plans to make a position change anytime soon.
Mauer has been out since April 15 with bilateral leg weakness, a condition team doctors have said was brought on by a light workload in spring training while he worked his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The latest struggles have renewed the debate about the three- time AL batting champion moving to another position to keep his bat in the lineup.
Mauer said Thursday he is determined to stay right where he is.
“I just think I can help the team a lot better when I’m behind the plate,” said Mauer, who is in the first season of an eight-year, $184 million contract. “That’s what I signed here to do is to catch. I think we’re a better ballclub when I’m behind the plate.”
Mauer was eligible to come off the DL on Thursday, but there is no timetable for his return.
Footnotes.
Major League Baseball is looking into any rules White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen might have violated by using Twitter to make derogatory comments about an umpire after being ejected. Should Guillen be fined it would be the first time baseball has penalized a player, coach or manager for their use of the social networking site during a game.
• The Phillies placed right-hander Joe Blanton (elbow) on the 15-day DL and are expected to recall Vance Worley from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
• The Giants placed infielder Mark DeRosa (wrist) on the DL and activated Emmanuel Burriss.
• The Pirates added outfielder Xavier Paul to the 25-man roster and designated outfielder John Bowker for assignment to create space.
• Rangers reliever Darren O’Day underwent surgery to repair a partial tear of the labrum in his left hip and is expected to be on crutches for about a week.
