The Sports Xchange

Catcher Joe Mauer, still unable to throw without discomfort in his right shoulder, was in the starting lineup as the Twins‘ designated hitter for the third consecutive game Thursday in Tampa. Mauer has not caught since Saturday, when he received a cortisone shot in a bursa in his right shoulder.

Mauer began playing catch Tuesday, but after throwing again Thursday, he reported to manager Ron Gardenhire that his arm still was not ready to attempt throwing out Tampa Bay’s speedy base-stealers. Gardenhire believes Mauer will return to catching this weekend in Cleveland.

“He’s still not quite there, but I think probably this next series he should be able to catch and start going back out there,” Gardenhire said. “He tried (Thursday) and said it didn’t work out, that it didn’t feel great yet. All I can do is go by what he’s telling me.”

Gardenhire said he wants to wait until Mauer’s arm is better than just “OK.” According to the manager, Mauer’s shoulder pained him each time he threw from home before the cortisone shot. The manager also said the injury had started to pain Mauer at the plate.

That problem appeared resolved during Mauer’s three games against Tampa Bay, when he went 5-for-11. He’s now batting .400 in his career against the Rays and .433 in his career at Tropicana Field — the highest among all active players with at least 50 plate appearances at the Rays’ home ballpark.