Mauer strikes out in return for Twins

Twins star Joe Mauer struck out swinging with the bases loaded in his return to the Minnesota lineup after missing eight games with a deeply bruised left heel.

The Twins led 4-1 with one out and the bases loaded Saturday night in the second game of a split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, when manager Ron Gardenhire inserted the reigning AL MVP to pinch hit for Alexi Casilla.

The Target Field crowd stood throughout Mauer's at-bat, then let out a loud groan when Matt Albers got him swinging on a full count to end the inning.

Earlier in the day, Gardenhire said Mauer was ``getting real close'' to returning to the starting lineup but ruled him out for the second game because he still wasn't ready to run the bases at full speed.

``You can't just stick a guy out there because he's got some orthotics in his shoes,'' Gardenhire said. ``He feels a lot better with those in there, but his foot's not well. He's definitely not totally healed. He's still got some soreness in there.''

Mauer took batting practice before the first game and was testing his foot by squatting in the catcher's position in the batting cage during the game. Mauer did some running on a track at Target Field on Friday, when the game was postponed by rain.

He hadn't played since hurting his foot while running out a grounder on April 30.

Gardenhire said Mauer would be evaluated Sunday for possible action against the Orioles. The Twins are off Monday and host the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

``He's anxious. He really wants to play. He wants to be out there,'' the manager said. ``But he also knows his foot's not there yet.''

Shortstop J.J. Hardy won't play this weekend. His left wrist is still sore, and Gardenhire said he's not ready to get on the field.