MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer was in the lineup at designated hitter against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, his first start in more than a week.
Mauer struck out as a pinch-hitter Saturday night after missing eight games because of a deeply bruised left heel he sustained while running out a grounder April 30.
If all goes well, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire expects Mauer to be back behind the plate Tuesday when the Twins open a two-game home series with the Chicago White Sox.
Mauer, who is hitting .341 with one home run and 13 RBIs, tested his foot by squatting in the catcher’s position in the batting cage during prior to the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader.
