Joe Mauer was able to swing a bat on Sunday, the first time he’s done so since hitting the disabled list with a strained oblique July 2, according to the Pioneer Press.
Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said it’s “a good sign” and “everything is moving in the right direction.”
Ryan hinted that it will be up to Mauer whether he’s heads to the minor leagues for a rehab stint.
“I’m sure (Ron Gardenhire) will and our trainers will ask him where he’s at and see whether he thinks he needs to go out. If he thinks he needs to go out, he’s going to go out.”
The fact that Mauer was able to swing a bat on Sunday is a good sign considering the Star Tribune reported on Saturday that Mauer was still a few days away from swinging a bat because he still felt pain in his side when he sneezing or yawning. Mauer did some on-field work on Saturday – his first baseball-related activities since suffering the injury July 1.
When Mauer does return he’ll look to extend a 12-game hitting streak. His injury, to say the least, happened just when he started rolling at the plate. He struggled mightily until busting out of a season-long slump with a three-hit game against the Blue Jays on June 11.
