FanHouse MikeRedmond

BALTIMORE -- Joe Mauer returned to the Twins lineup less than a week ago after missing the first month of the season with an inflamed sacroiliac joint in his back, but manager Ron Gardenhire has already penciled backup catcher Mike Redmond into the lineup twice since Mauer came off the disabled list.

So what gives?

Wallowing below .500 and ranked 12th in the American League in runs, you would think that the Twins would want to get Mauer's ever so valuable bat into the lineup as much as possible after going without it for so long.

The Twins' 2009 season was already off to a rough start before they lost to the Mariners on Monday because they found out this spring that they were likely to be without Joe Mauer for the first month of the season. But at least they had Mike Redmond to turn to behind the plate in his place. Redmond is no Mauer, but he has played very well with the Twins as Mauer's backup the last few seasons.

Of course, when you're 37-years old and catching, you should probably expect some bumps and bruises to come your way, and on Monday Redmond found himself way ahead of schedule. As if taking a broken bat to the side of his head and shoulder wasn't bad enough, Redmond also hurt his groin after doubling off of Felix Hernandez in the fifth inning.

I say that because they beat the ever living crap out of the White Sox today. You thought Mike Redmond had it bad?

In a day night doubleheader at US Cellular Field, the Twins pitching staff gave up 14 runs. Of course, you can get away with that when you're scoring 32 runs yourself.

You did not read that wrong. In two games today, the Twins scored 32 runs in a sweep of the White Sox. They took Game 1 20-14, and then they took Game 2 by a score of 12-0. I've seen teams get embarrassed by another squad before, but I don't think I ever saw something as bad as what the Twins did to their division rivals on Friday. Still the 32 runs in a double header is not a record, as the Red Sox scored 36 runs during a double header against the Phillies back in 1950.

The biggest winners of the day were former roommates Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. In the first game, Mauer went 4-for-6 with 5 RBI and 4 runs scored. Morneau had a ho-hum 3-for-5 with 3RBI performance.

He'd make up for it in the second game though, don't worry.

The big Canadian lumberjack jacked three home runs in the nightcap. Part of a 3-for-5 performance in which he drove in six more runs. So on the day, Morneau finished 6-for-10 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI. I think he also slept with the wife of every single White Sox player at some point during the day as well. After that, he came to my house and killed my dog.

As a team, the Twins hit six home runs during the second game to follow up on the two they hit in the first game. Of course, those six home runs were only 17% of the Twins 36 hits on the day.

These same two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon on FOX, and the Twins will try for 40 runs. The way they hit against the White Sox, I wouldn't bet against them.

Previously at The FanHouse:
Mike Redmond Is Going to Have a Headache Tomorrow

Ouch.

And you thought all catchers had to deal with were foul balls off their body. Mike Redmond took Jim Thome's backswing on his temple, and it wasn't pretty.

I hope Mike is all right, but if nothing else he can take solace in the fact he didn't take the worst beating of any player between these two teams today. Anybody who saw Jon Garland give up 11 earned runs in 3.1 innings in the Twins 20-14 victory against the White Sox earlier this afternoon can attest to that. (The Twins currently lead the Sox 11-0 in game 2 of the doubleheader)

Also, as a result of this injury I saw something I've never seen before in an American League game. Since Joe Mauer had to replace Redmond behind the plate, and was already in the lineup as the designated hitter, the Twins no longer had a DH. Which meant that Twins starter Matt Garza got to strike out in his first Major League at bat in the next inning.

After having to sit out for nearly a month due to a leg injury, Joe Mauer's name will be written on the lineup card Ron Gardenhire hands to the home plate umpire this evening. Also, as you'd expect, the Twins plan on being very cautious with the face of their franchise to make sure he stays on the field as well.

Twins backup catcher Mike Redmond has spoken to Mauer about pacing himself a little more.

"When you ground out, you don't have to [sprint] to first when you're out by 30 feet," Redmond said. "People might say, 'He's not going hard.' As a catcher, you've got to know when to give that little extra and know when to conserve as much energy as you can. ... That's hard to do."

It's odd to hear that kind of thought coming out of the mouth of a Minnesota Twin, seeing as they're best known for going all out every play, but it probably is the best approach with Mauer. The Twins as an organization would be a lot better off in the future with Mauer conserving energy, than they would be with him on the disabled list.

Of course the question that always comes to mind after a player like Mauer suffers through these kinds of injuries, is catcher the best position for him in the long run?

The Twins don't plan on moving Mauer out from behind the plate, but they're being smart enough to realize he's going to need more time off, and they're not completely ruling out the idea of a position change.

"All catchers sit out," Gardenhire said. "There are going to be days where he's going to just have to sit out. You can't wear a catcher out just to get his bat in the lineup every day. You have to give them their days just because they take a beating more than everybody else. "You don't, all of sudden, say, 'You're out.' Obviously, if it becomes an issue and he continues to have leg problems as he goes along, you have to think about it."

The immediate plan is to have Joe in the lineup tonight and on Saturday, but to give him a day off on Sunday.

Previously at The Fanhouse:
Joe Mauer Is Getting Frustrated
When Is Joe Mauer Coming Back?

It's quickly becoming one of the greater mysteries in life. Like wondering who built Stonehenge, or why do so many people watch Entourage.

When is Joe Mauer coming back?

Nobody seems to know. Not Mauer, not the Twins coaching staff, not even the Twins doctors.

Mauer says that he's close to returning, but his legs still aren't quite right. Uh, Joe? Considering you're out with a leg injury, were you expecting your left hand to be the biggest obstacle?

There's been talk that Mauer might come back as a designated hitter for a while, but Ron Gardenhire isn't having it.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he definitely will not use Mauer as a DH but only as a catcher and won't play him until he can run naturally.

"He can't stay loose as a DH," Gardenhire said. "He has got to relax. He has to tell me when he is ready to play.

"We want him to get well. If he should suffer a relapse, he will be out for a long time. We aren't going to take any chances."

Can't exactly blame a manager for wanting to be cautious with the franchise. Though if the Twins wait too long, it might be too late.

Mike Redmond has done a very nice job filling in for Joey Sideburns, hitting .411 during his absence, but the Twins as a whole have struggled. Since losing Mauer on May 5th, the Twins are 8-11, but have won four of their last five. It's not that bad of a record, but when you consider how hot the Indians and Tigers have been, they're losing a lot of ground I'm not sure they can make up.

Previously at The Fanhouse:
Joe Mauer Suddenly Has A Lot More Time On His Hands
Chairman Mauer To Miss More Time