Mauer expects to miss opener

FORT MYERS, FLA. - The inflammation in Joe Mauer's lower back is not considered a long-term problem, but it's enough of a problem that the All-Star catcher isn't expected to be in the Opening Day lineup.

Mauer raised that possibility on Friday while discussing his now-lengthy recovery from a sore right sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine and pelvis. Mauer, who saw a specialist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore last week, hopes that a combination of medication, therapy and rest will get him back on the field.

Just don't expect his return to be April 6 against Seattle at the Dome.

When asked if he's doubting that he will be available for the opener, Mauer said: "'Yeah, I just have to get healthy. I don't think I'm ready to get out there and play any games. I know [the opener] is getting closer. I really don't know if I'm going to be there or not."

The diagnosis came after the specialist in Baltimore conducted a battery of tests and examined results of previous exams done on Mauer's back -- a big reason why it took so long for the Twins to reveal the results. The Twins have not identified the specialist who examined Mauer in Baltimore. In the end, though, that specialist concurred with Twins doctors and other specialists in the Twin Cities that it's nothing more than inflammation.

"I think it was an important part of the process," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "This is not a common injury among players. So we want to make sure we had all the right answers and the right treatment so we can get it right one time and hope we get him back as soon as possible."

Mauer worked out daily at the Lee County Sports Complex while waiting for the results of the most recent exam.

When asked how his back felt on Friday, he said: "You have good days and bad days. Today is not so good, I guess."

He later said that he was "frustrated" that he has been unable to find out why he's having such back pain.

But he was pleased that a plan is in place that everyone involved agrees upon. He won't be totally happy, however, until he's back behind the plate and batting in the No. 3 hole.

"You've got a combination between medication and rest and doing the right exercises," he said. "I think we've got the mentality to not really push it and try to let it heal."

This is the latest checkpoint on Mauer's road to recovery, one that began toward the end of last season when he first experienced lower back pain. Doctors did a series of tests and eventually found a kidney obstruction he had had since birth. The obstruction was removed, and Mauer recovered from that surgery. But the pain persisted as he reported to training camp. That led to a magnetic resonance arthrogram earlier this month that revealed inflammation of the joint.

Veteran Mike Redmond now looks like the Opening Day starter in place of Mauer. Potential backups from the minors include switch hitter Jose Morales, who is a solid hitting prospect, and Drew Butera, son of former Twin Sal Butera. A third prospect, power hitter Wilson Ramos, was cut from camp on Friday. The Twins also could keep an eye out for catchers released by other clubs.

But it's impossible to replace a top catcher like Mauer, who is a two-time batting champion.

"They say, 'Boy that's tough for the Twins to handle.' That's tough for any team to handle," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "I've just been in a wait-and-see mode. See where we are at and, right now, I'm more concerned about the health of the young man, getting back to doing baseball things, than anything else.

"We will start the season. And we will have catchers. It's not easy without him because he's a big part of our team and our lineup. My concerns are getting him back to baseball. Then we will worry about when he comes back and join us. I promise you, we'll play baseball and we'll have catchers. Just not Joe right now.''