Twins catcher Joe Mauer was supposed to fly to Baltimore today to see a specialist about his bilateral leg weakness but a bad case of the flu has interfered.

Mauer, in fact, had to go to a St. Petersburg-area hospital after last night's game to have tests run to make sure they weren't any other problems. He returned to the hotel after the tests were run. Indications are that it's nothing more than the flu.

When the Twins play at Baltimore, Mauer has a follow up appointment with the specialist who treated his inflamed right sacroiliac joint in spring of 2009. That was the plan again this year. But when Mauer reported weakness in his legs and soreness elsewhere, the Twins decided to put him on the DL, send him to Baltimore early, get checked out then head back to the Twin Cities to begin rehab.

Because of the flu - which probably would have landed Mauer on the DL anyway (the Twins can't go with one catcher for three-four days while he recovers) - it appears that Mauer might just head to Baltimore with the rest of the team after Sunday's game. I'll know more after I get to that dump of stadium later this afternoon.

UPDATE:Twins GM Bill Smith just confirmed in an e-mail that Mauer did go to a hospital last night.
"As discussed last night, Joe Mauer was suffering from some extreme flu-like symptoms during and after the game," Smith said. "We sent him to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. He received some fluids & anti-biotics and was discharged back to the hotel.''
Smith also said that Mauer will remain with the club and not fly to Baltimore today and will travel there with the club.
"It was recommended that he not travel today, so we are keeping him here," Smith said.