Mauer: recovery right on schedule

JUPITER, FLA. - After catching his first bullpen session of the spring, Joe Mauer said Saturday that he never doubted he'd be ready by the Twins April 1 season opener.

Mauer, who's been rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee, isn't sure when he'll be ready to catch in his first exhibition game but said he could be ready to DH by late next week.

"I feel close [to ready]," he said. "This last week I definitely made some big strides. When I first reported to camp, I was a mess, but I feel pretty good."

Rotation almost set Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey still are battling for the fifth starter's spot, but Gardenhire said the team's other four starters likely will open the season in the following order: Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn and Brian Duensing.