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Mauer Doubts He'll Be Ready

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The Associated Press

Published: March 21, 2009

FORT MYERS - Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer said Friday he doubts he'll be ready to play by Opening Day due to lingering pain and inflammation in his lower back.

The reigning AL batting champion isn't sure when he'll be able to return.

"We really don't have a timetable," Mauer said. "It all just depends on how I feel. Hopefully, it will be sooner than later. There's good days and bad days.

Mauer has inflammation in the sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis. Mauer traveled to Baltimore on March 14 to seek a second opinion for the injury.

"We know it's in there," Mauer said of the inflammation. "We just have to get it out."

ASTROS: Ivan Rodriguez's one-year, $1.5 million contract with Houston was finalized after the catcher passed his physical.

METS: In an indication the Mets are leaning toward selecting Livan Hernandez as their fifth starter, New York optioned left-hander Jonathan Niese to the minor leagues.

OBITUARY: Whitey Lockman, who doubled ahead of Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" that clinched the 1951 NL pennant for the New York Giants, died Tuesday at the Mayo Clinic Hospital. He was 82. Lockman told the New York Daily News last week he was fighting pulmonary fibrosis.

RANGERS: Andruw Jones is staying with Texas at least through the weekend, even though he has not been added to the major-league roster.

Jones said Friday he agreed with the Rangers to extend by three days a provision in his minor-league contract that would allow the five-time All-Star to become a free agent if he's not put on the big-league roster. That pushed the deadline to Monday.

WORLD CLASSIC: Roy Oswalt will start for the United States in its semifinal against Japan on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium.

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