Mauer, Helling sent to Class AAA

KANSAS CITY, MO. -- Catcher Joe Mauer and righthander Rick Helling joined Class AAA Rochester on Friday to continue their comebacks.

Mauer, on a rehabilitation stint following April surgery on his left knee, played two games at Class A Fort Myers in front of Twins General Manager Terry Ryan and Director of Minor Leagues Jim Rantz and convinced both he was ready for better competition.

"He caught eight innings [Thursday] with no problem," Rantz said. "He ran, slid and did everything. He is ready for the next level with some stronger competition. . . . We have not pinpointed a day for him to come back yet."

Still, Mauer should return to the Twins sometime next week if all goes well. He went 1-for-3 Friday with a double, two strikeouts and a sacrifice fly for Rochester.

The original plan is for Mauer to alternate between DH and catcher over the first four days, but that could change. "I'd like for him to catch back-to-back games," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's what he's going to be doing here."

Helling, the veteran righthander who had been slated to be the Twins' fifth starter before he broke his leg in spring training, was moved up after going 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA at Class AA New Britain. Gardenhire expressed concern that Helling, trying to get back to the majors, needed the challenge.

No regrets

"It was a tough decision," said Gettis, who starred at Cahokia (Ill.) High. "[Coach] Glen Mason was outstanding. And I remember [co-offensive coordinator] Mitch Browning, who recruited me.

"I was going to be able to compete for the job my freshman year. I turned it down."

Gettis said that if 2002 would have been a poor season, he was going to quit baseball and call Mason for another chance. He did well enough -- .283 with eight homers and 70 RBI at Class A Wilmington.

Last season was even better, as he hit .302 at Class AA Wichita with 16 homers, 103 RBI and was named Royals minor league player of the year.

He thought he would be a September call-up this year but was promoted Thursday when Juan Gonzalez was put on the disabled list. Gettis singled off Brad Radke in the fifth inning Friday for his first major league hit.

Etc.

• Gardenhire reached into a garbage can to show a lineup card he filled out for Friday's game -- with Jacque Jones leading off and Torii Hunter batting cleanup. "I don't think Jacque wants to lead off anymore," Gardenhire said.

• Third baseman Corey Koskie has a slightly sore hamstring, but he was able to start Friday.

On deck