Joe Mauer "didn't have a good day" on Wednesday, General Manager Terry Ryan said, "so I didn't have a good day."
That's because the Twins' All-Star catcher felt some concussion symptoms return again after going through a workout, a setback as Mauer works toward a return from the Aug. 19 injury caused by a foul ball off his mask.
Mauer "didn't have the response he was hoping for," Ryan said. "I'm guessing that's probably something that [Justin] Morneau went through many times during the course of" his own recovery from a concussion.
Mauer's condition "is a concern," Ryan admitted, "more than a frustration. You've got to feel for the guy. He just didn't feel good today, so we sent him home. Hopefully he'll come back tomorrow feeling better, and we'll get back on track."
The Twins had been optimistic that Mauer, who felt good enough to run the bases Monday with no aftereffects, might return during this homestand, but Wednesday's setback makes that less likely. The Twins then depart on a weeklong road trip after Sunday's game, and return Sept. 23 for the final week of the season.
One side effect of his injury, Gardenhire said, is irritability.
"Not only does he get irritated when you [media members] ask him how he's doing, he gets irritated when I ask him how he's doing," the manager said. "So I just leave him alone, let him go about his business."