Joe Mauer could return to the Twins lineup in two weeks, according to his grandfather Jake. “He’s shooting for the first of June,” Jake told Sports Headliners.
He also said Joe could catch a game now, but would need to “rest for five” games and that doesn’t help the team. The former AL MVP has “two lumps” on his injured right shoulder and that remains a problem as does regaining strength in his body, according to Jake.
“His right shoulder is getting better,” Jake said. “He’s down from 235 (pounds) to 218 or 219.”
The lumps are from the rigors of catching earlier in the season when he played in several games before going on the disabled list, according to Jake. He also said his grandson is struggling to replace the weight he lost after being severely weakened last month by the flu. Although much has been written about weakness in Joe’s legs, Jake insisted the legs “are good.”
Although Joe is known for being mild-mannered, his physical problems and not playing since April 12 have made him grumpy. “He’s not fit to live with,” Jake said. “It’s just been murder. He says, ‘Grandpa, I just don’t want to talk about it.’ ”
Joe attended his charity golf tournament last week but didn’t play except to accompany his grandfather on a few holes and putt on the greens. This week he is at the Twins’ training complex in Fort Myers, Florida continuing to rehab.
Mauer has played in nine games this season. He has a .235 average with no home runs and four RBI.