Twins: Mauer not ready for a while

The Twins hoped Joe Mauer could return from left knee surgery in a month. It now looks as if it will be a little longer for the rookie catcher, as the club prefers to be cautious.

Mauer, on the disabled list since April 7 because of torn cartilage in his left knee, has been working out lightly all week at the Metrodome, taking early batting practice, throwing the ball and jogging. But Mauer, 21, has yet to squat and catch and admits there's still discomfort. While the St. Paul native is flying to Fort Myers, Fla., today to continue workouts, it's not known when he will be able to squat behind the plate.

"It's one of those things where they said it would be the early part of May," said Mauer, who was hurt in the second game of the season. "They didn't want to give me a day earlier [than that] or later. They didn't know either.

"It's been a little sore the last couple of days but I think that was expected."

Designated hitter Matthew LeCroy, recovering from a right oblique muscle pull, will fly to Florida with Mauer and should begin playing in games in a few days. While LeCroy is expected to be ready when the team returns home from its upcoming road trip May 11, Mauer is not.

After a May 11-13 home series against Seattle, the Twins head out for another road trip. They could look to having Mauer available May 20 when they begin a home series against the White Sox.

"We're not going to force this issue," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said recently. "When they tell us he is ready, then we'll get him back up here."

Said Mauer: "I just want to get back out there. It's about that time."

Stewart scratched

Stewart's sore right wrist continued to give him problems, so Gardenhire held him out for a second day, again using Lew Ford in his place in Sunday's 3-1 loss to Anaheim.

With today's off-day, Stewart is expected to be well enough to start Tuesday in Seattle.

Ford originally was going to be the DH Sunday. That assignment went to Michael Cuddyer, who hit a fourth-inning homer.

Etc.

• Saturday's game was the Twins' first 1-0 loss since Sept. 29, 2000, at Detroit. Also Saturday, Twins starter Brad Radke walked consecutive batters for the first time since June 2, 2001, at Texas, a span of 80 starts.

• Class AA New Britain righthander Victor Moreno was named Twins minor league player of the week. Moreno threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out 13.

• Anaheim's Darin Erstad had 17 RBI in 67 games last season. He already has 18 RBI this year.

• Johan Santana is 1-0 with 3.18 ERA and 20 strikeouts in his past three starts.

• The Twins will play 12 of their next 15 games on the road.