Sid Hartman: Joe Mauer rebounding nicely after absence

May 2009 was a great month for Joe Mauer, when the Twins catcher hit .414 (41-for-79) with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, 27 runs scored and seven doubles in 28 games.

He was named American League player of the month.

Now Mauer is off to another great start in May. In the first three games since he came back from missing eight games because of a bruised heel, he was 4-for-8, hitting .500.

Overall, Mauer was hitting .347 after Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the White Sox.

"I was able to make it to the last two games and I'm ready to go," said Mauer, who pinch-hit on Sunday against the Orioles and has caught the past two games.

"It's good, I'm out there. I'm out there playing, and it's good to be back. I've got a little cushion, stuff like that to help with the foot, but everything is good so far."

After hitting .365 last season and winning the American League MVP award, Mauer was asked if he has noted any change how opposing pitchers are pitching to him.

The White Sox stole four bases in five attempts in the two games, a high rate of success with Mauer behind the plate, but he explained that "I think it's just me trying to rush. Guys are getting good jumps and I'm trying to make up for it, which you can't do."

The Twins haven't had good luck playing at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, and Mauer was asked how felt about the trip coming up to the two stadiums.

"You see it as another road trip," he said. "Obviously, like I said earlier, what happened last year happened last year. But we're going in to play some good ballclubs, and we're just trying to win a series, just like any one.

"Just another series, you know, try to go in there and win it."

Going into Yankee Stadium for the first time since winning the 2009 MVP will be quite a media experience for Mauer, but he has the ability to handle it.

Carl Pavano, the winning pitcher against the White Sox on Wednesday, threw to three different catchers in his past four starts -- Mauer on Wednesday and previously to Wilson Ramos and Drew Butera.

Pat Neshek, the Twins reliever who is on the disabled list with a strained tendon in his pitching hand, said: "We will try to play catch tomorrow [Thursday] and see where we're at. Hopefully it will feel good -- it's one of those things you never know when it's going to start feeling better. I think it's going to take like a week or two here. We're going to throw and in a week, if it's not better, do the cortisone shot."

Kyle Gibson, the Twins' No. 1 draft choice this year, has been promoted to Class AA New Britain from Class A Fort Myers after beating Tampa Bay 4-1 on Wednesday and holding them to three hits in 6 2/3 innings and one earned run while fanning eight and walking three. Gibson finished with a 4-1 record and a 1.87 ERA for Fort Myers despite giving up three earned runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings in his first start against Bradenton on April 8.

Jottings Talk about a great achievement: Gophers distance runner Mike Torchia will compete in the 10,000 meters at the Big Ten track meet in Bloomington, Ind., on Friday night. He will then fly home early Saturday to deliver the students' commencement address at the College of Biological Sciences on the campus. Torchia, who hails from Rochester, is graduating with a degree in biochemistry with an impressive 3.946 grade-point average.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and his wife, Deanna, have donated $25,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota through the Brett Favre Forward Foundation. Over the years, according to Brad Madson of the Vikings, Favre has granted more than 200 wishes for youngsters facing life challenges and did several during the season last year in Minnesota. Another reason why he will be coming back to the Vikings.

Wild defenseman Brent Burns had two assists and a plus-2 rating as Canada won its first two games at the IIHF World Men's Championship in Germany. Wild teammate Anti Miettinen earned a plus-1 rating in one game with Finland at the tournament.

Former Holy Angels standout Joe Loftus, now a starting outfielder at Vanderbilt, was named the SEC baseball player of the week. Loftus went 6-for-14 with seven RBI to help Vanderbilt take two of three from defending NCAA champion LSU. On the season, Loftus is hitting .262.

Cretin-Derham Hall product Jacob Esch is the starting second baseman for Georgia Tech. Esch is hitting .267.

Tyus Jones, an eighth-grade point guard from Apple Valley, scored 18 points to lead the Howard Pulley Blue team to the 16-and-under Sabes Invitational title with a 78-73 overtime win over the Houston Hoopes. Jones was named the 16-and-under tournament MVP. The Howard Pulley 17-and-under won their division by beating Houston Hoops team 61-53. Zach Lofton, a junior guard from Columbia Heights, scored 19 points and was named the 17-and-under tournament MVP.

Joe Coleman, brother of former Gopher Dan Coleman, also did well in the Sabes tournament while playing for the 17s, as he was named to the all-tournament team along with teammate Siyani Chambers.