MINNEAPOLIS — Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Joe Mauer is feeling “real strong” in his rehabilitation for leg weakness, and the team will decide on the catcher’s next step after the weekend.
Mauer will go through a workout today, then catch Sunday at Single-A Fort Myers.
Also, Justin Morneau was not in the lineup Friday against the Rangers because of pain in his left wrist and a pinched nerve in his neck that affects his shoulder. The first baseman told Gardenhire he needed the day off.
Designated hitter Jim Thome was sore after an epidural injection to try and relieve pain in his back that caused a left quadriceps strain. If the injection works, Thome will begin rehabilitation soon.
Injured relievers Joe Nathan and Glen Perkins are also progressing toward a return. Nathan will throw a bullpen session today, then start a rehab assignment in Fort Myers. Perkins is scheduled to throw one inning tonight for Triple-A Rochester.
Footnotes.
Indians outfielder Travis Buck and his wife were shaken up in a taxi crash and sent to a New York hospital as a precaution, and designated hitter Travis Hafner took batting practice on the field for the first time since he strained a muscle on his right side May 18.
• Rays outfielder Matt Joyce is day to day after getting a cortisone shot in his left shoulder.
• The Pirates placed reliever Evan Meek on the disabled list because of tendinitis in his right shoulder and purchased the contract of fellow right-hander Tim Wood from Triple-A Indianapolis.
• Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka had elbow reconstruction surgery, leaving his future with the Red Sox uncertain.
• The Nationals placed right-hander Cole Kimball (shoulder) on the 15-day DL and recalled right-hander Ryan Mattheus from Triple-A Syracuse.
