Mauer undergoes surgery on kidney

Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

Joe Mauer has had a minor kidney problem that required surgery at the Mayo Clinic.

Participation in world tourney is in question, but team says he'll be 100 percent for spring training.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: January 4, 2009 - 11:33 PM

In what a Twins official described as "a minor procedure," All-Star catcher Joe Mauer recently had surgery to eliminate a kidney obstruction.

Twins General Manager Bill Smith said that Mauer is recovering from the Dec. 22 surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training when pitchers and catcher report to Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb, 14.

"It's something he's had since birth," Smith said. "It is something that has bothered him more lately. Everything went fine and he will be ready for the season."

Mauer, who led the American League with a .328 batting average last season, had the surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

It's unclear how much discomfort, if any, Mauer was in during the regular season because of the condition. Attempts to reach Mauer or his agent, Ron Shapiro, were unsuccessful Friday.

Mauer, 25, posted a .413 on-base percentage last season, adding nine homers and 85 RBI. He also was fourth in the majors with 1,203 innings caught. He missed more than 120 games in 2004 because of left knee surgery, so any physical ailment the St. Paul native deals with tends to be big news in these parts. But it should be pointed out that he was generally healthy in 2005, 2006 and last season, with left quadriceps and left hamstring injuries shelving him for about a month and a half in 2007.

It's also unclear how the surgery will affect Mauer's interest in playing in the World Baseball Classic, which takes place in March. There were indications earlier in the offseason that Mauer wanted to play, after declining an invitation to represent Team USA in the 2006 event.

The main thing Smith stressed on Friday was that Mauer is not dealing with anything serious.

"He should be 100 percent by the start of spring training," Smith said. "It is not a big deal."

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