Twins catcher gets day off
Knight Ridder Newspapers
SEATTLE -- Twins catcher Joe Mauer will ride the bench today and won't be used even as the designated hitter after catching the first two games at Seattle, manager Ron Gardenhire said.
First-year backup Mike Redmond will make his Twins debut behind the plate in Mauer's place for the 5:35 p.m. CDT game.
The Twins beat Seattle Tuesday night, 8-4, to even the series at 1-1.
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Mauer, who appeared strong both Monday and Tuesday, is continuing to get cautious treatment early in the season as the Twins move deliberately toward assuring that his surgically repaired left knee can stand the full-time rigors of major league catching without setbacks.
Mauer missed all but 35 games last season because of the injury, and a minor flare-up in the knee early in March cost him about a week of progress in camp and prompted Gardenhire to carry a fourth catcher on the Opening Day roster.
And Mauer won't be the only regular getting a rest today. With the day game after the night game and with a day off before Friday's home opener, Gardenhire said he plans to get a few reserves playing time.
