MPR’s Jim Bickal reports that Joe Mauer faces a much greater risk of developing arthritis at some point in his career after a left knee injury in the second game of his rookie season last year. The Minnesota Twins catcher is back home in St. Paul for the holidays after spending several months in Florida for rehabilitation.
The Twins are hoping Mauer, who was named Minor League Player of the Year in 2003, will be their full time catcher next year.