Mauer ready to get going

Doctors say St. Paul native's knee checks out fine; spring training will be the true test

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

Joe Mauer has officially finished the procedural process of rehabilitating his surgically repaired knee.

But the Twins catcher still has a big step to take before he and the organization know for sure that he is healthy beyond an inkling of doubt. That step is to make it through spring training without any setbacks.

Manager Ron Gardenhire glowingly spoke of how healthy Mauer is during a preseason media luncheon Friday but said the true test of whether the St. Paul native is ready to be an everyday player will not come until spring training begins.

"I just want to see him get back on the field, then we can leave the rest of it alone," Gardenhire said. "Nothing's hindering him."

Mauer suffered meniscus damage in his left knee in the second regular-season game last year, limiting his much-anticipated rookie season to 35 games. But he ushered in the new year in a fresh way. During a simultaneous evaluation by Twins orthopedist Dr. John Steubs and Dr. Joel Boyd — who performed Mauer's surgery — while in the Twin Cities around the New Year's holiday, Mauer was told his nine-month rehabilitation was complete.

"They said, 'Treat it as a regular offseason,' " said Mauer, who is attending the annual TwinsFest at the Metrodome this weekend. "It was good news. I've had a lot of news from doctors in the past year, and that was the best."

Ever since, Mauer said he has been doing routine weight and cardiovascular training. He said he has had no pain the past two months but added that he has not crouched into a catcher's position for any length of time since a series of simulated games in Fort Myers, Fla., ended in early December.

"I'm not worried about it," said Mauer, who will report to spring training in Fort Myers on Feb. 19, the voluntary date for pitchers, catchers and injured players. "I'll be fine. It's just a matter of getting back into it every day, and it'll take some time to get back into spring-training form."

Controversial Rios signed: The Twins have agreed to terms with Armando Rios on a minor league contract and have invited the veteran outfielder to spring training.

Rios, who has played parts of six seasons with San Francisco, Pittsburgh and the Chicago White Sox, was implicated in the BALCO scandal. According to a San Francisco Chronicle report in July, Rios told a federal agent that he tested positive for steroids while in the minor leagues in 2003.

Rios did not play in the majors last year, spending time with two minor league teams and a Mexican League club. He had his best big-league season in 2001 with San Francisco and Pittsburgh, reaching career highs in hits (83), home runs (14) and doubles (17). His chances are slim of making the Twins' Opening Day roster.

Briefly: First baseman Justin Morneau is among the notable players not attending TwinsFest. Morneau has been recovering from chicken pox, Gardenhire said. Other top Twins not on the schedule this weekend: Shannon Stewart, Luis Rivas and newly acquired shortstop Juan Castro.

* The Twins and Lee County, Fla., have reached an agreement on a 10-year contract extension to keep the organization's spring training and minor league training complex in Fort Myers through 2020. As part of the deal, a new weight room and conference room will be built on the minor league side.

* Minnesota's Class AA team will remain in New Britain, Conn., at least through 2008 after a two-year extension was agreed upon last week.