A healthy Mauer has everyone in good spirits

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Twins backup catcher Mike Redmond saw the group of reporters standing around Joe Mauer and couldn't resist.

"Joe, how did your hair feel?" Redmond said, causing laughter.

By then, Mauer had been asked several questions about his left knee, which was operated on last season.

And Mauer was pleased to report that everything went well.

"It was great just to be back out there," Mauer said.

Mauer was 0-for-1 with a walk and was lifted for a pinch runner in the third.

Mauer has not been held out of any drills because the knee has responded well. He's on the travel list to Bradenton today.

Romero rusty

Lefthander J.C. Romero hit a batter, walked the bases loaded, walked in a run and gave up two run-scoring singles.

One inning, two hits, four runs, three walks.

"He couldn't throw the ball over and lost his feel for the pitch," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He didn't command the zone and got himself up a creek."

Gardenhire is willing to overlook poor early spring outings but doesn't want to see a trend.

Etc.

Outfielder Michael Restovich was expected to miss a few games while recovering from a broken collarbone, but he was the designated hitter Friday, going 1-for-3.

Shannon Stewart was sent home with the flu before Friday's game. Hitting coach Scott Ullger was sent home after five innings with the same bug.

Michael Cuddyer made a nice grab of a bad hop to start a double play.

On deck

The Twins will play a home game against Boston and a game in Bradenton against Pittsburgh today.

Brad Radke will start against Boston, and rookie Scott Baker will start against the Pirates.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, recovered from pneumonia, will make his first appearance of the spring.