Sideburns Return Tomorrow

Joe Mauer will finally be making his return to the active roster this weekend. He's been gone so long, he grew a beard.

After sitting out 29 games with a strained left quad muscle, the Minnesota Twins All-Star catcher will be activated in time for tomorrow's game against the Washington Nationals. The 24-year-old reigning AL batting champ was hitting an outrageous .353 before the injury.

This comes as good news for the Twins, who are sitting at .500, four games behind the Detroit Tigers and 6.5 back of the Cleveland Indians. Mauer played in a simulated game with minor leaguers on Tuesday and went 0-for-3 with a walk on Wednesday in a Florida State League game with the Class-A Fort Myers Miracle, catching up until a pinch runner removed him in the ninth.

Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire has considered moving Mauer to the second spot in the lineup, so Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau, and Torii Hunter are able to stay in their respective third, fourth and fifth spots where they have thrived in Joe's absence.

To make room on the roster, lefty reliever Jason Miller will be optioned to the AAA Rochester Red Wings. After three scoreless appearances, Miller had a long walk to the clubhouse Monday night when he allowed eight runs while only getting one out against the Los Angeles Angels in a 16-4 ass-whooping.

[Pioneer Press]