Joe Mauer Ready From Day 1 Of Spring Training For Minnesota Twins

Published: 19^th Feb 12 12:37 pm

by Eric Haftel
Eric Haftel

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Joe Mauer Ready From Day 1 Of Spring Training For Minnesota Twins

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

A bright spot for the Twins already this season. Joe Mauer is already ready to play unlike last years injury plagued season.

The four-time All-Star, three-time batting champion and the AL MVP in 2009 was limited to only 82 games in 2011.

Mauer reported to spring training on Saturday and said he planned to start catching right away when pitchers and catchers hold their first workout on Sunday.

Mauer is hoping to be just like everyone else, and that’s a very good thing for the Twins.

“I’ll be another catcher out there running around, and that’s exciting for me,” Mauer told AP. “I was pretty limited all spring last year, and to get out there and run around with the guys is definitely something that I missed.”

Mauer had offseason knee surgery in December 2010, which was a major set back to his all-star career.

After surgery, Mauer tried to take it easy during spring training last year in hopes of staying healthy during the long season. The strategy ultimately backfired as Mauer wasn’t ready to play when the season began, and he ended up being placed on the disabled list with a condition called “bilateral leg weakness”.

This all happened after he signed his $184 million contract extension.

Mauer set career lows while batting .287 with 3 home runs and 30 RBIs.

The Twins are hopeful that he regains his former all-star performance and that fellow injured all-star, Justin Morneau, also returns to health.

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