Twins seeing improvement in Mauer's condition

Joe Mauer is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, and while the Twins aren't sure he will be ready to return then, they do know he's starting to feel better.

The All-Star catcher was diagnosed with bilateral leg weakness and has lost about 12 pounds because of a viral infection that hit him last week. But like good friend Justin Morneau, who lost about 10 pounds this past week because of a flu bug, Mauer turned a corner when he started keeping food down.

"He's basically still trying to get over the flu," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He feels a lot better, but he's obviously still weak."

Gardenhire is hopeful that Mauer's soreness will subside when he is over the viral infection.

"When it started, his body was sore all over, from the knee to the shoulder to the elbow, and it was all thought to be caused by trying to compensate for some weakness in his leg," Gardenhire said. "We found out a viral infection probably started a lot of it, and you go from there.

"I'm not a doctor. I can only go by what's said. We have to let him get over this viral flu bug and then we see what his body feels like, and we're almost there. Still not quite there, but we're almost there."

Nishioka update Twins second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who broke his left fibula April 7 trying to turn a double play against the Yankees in New York, has been working out on an underwater treadmill at Target Field.

Gardenhire said Nishioka watched all the games of the Twins' eight-game road trip on television and noticed the manager's 53rd career ejection Monday night in Baltimore.

"He thought that was pretty entertaining," Gardenhire said. "I told him to stay around."

Stelly returns The Twins clubhouse emptied quickly after Friday's game was postponed, but bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek appeared to be in no hurry to leave.

Stelmaszek, now in his 31st year on the job, had just returned to the team after a series of surgeries to fix a detached retina.

"It's good to be back," he said.

"The guys have been having a lot of fun with him," Gardenhire said. "He's excited; you can tell he's missed being around the ballpark, and he's pretty pumped up."

Liriano pushed back Twins lefthander Brian Duensing opposes Cleveland righthander Fausto Carmona on Saturday, as each was scheduled to pitch Friday. Carl Pavano will start Sunday as scheduled for the Twins, opposite Carlos Carrasco, who had been scheduled to start Saturday's game.

Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano, who was originally scheduled to pitch Saturday, will now face Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Etc. • Righthander Kevin Slowey (right shoulder bursitis) adjusted his throwing schedule in Fort Myers, Fla., leaving Gardenhire uncertain about his return timetable.