Joe Mauer Sidelined With a Stress Reaction

There are a few words Twins fans never want to hear in the same sentence: "Mauer," "leg," and "injury." Joe Mauer may have won a batting title last year, but his rookie year in which he missed most of the 2004 season following knee surgery is all too fresh in the minds of fans.

But after complaining of soreness today, Mauer underwent an MRI which revealed a stress reaction in his left fibula. From the Star-Tribune:

He will be treated with a bone stimulator and physical therapy and will be re-evaluated on Sunday. ...

A stress reaction is considered a precursor to a stress fracture. The Twins say they are optimistic that the condition was diagnosed early enough to keep it from becoming a serious long-term problem.

It's fortunate that the Twins discovered the ailment now, but what the report doesn't state is how long Mauer expects to be sidelined. Are we talking a week? Two weeks? The Twins open the season in just 11 days, so there's really not much of a cushion here -- just like there's not much margin for error in the AL Central this year.

Even if he comes back soon, what's worrisome is that the catcher position is the most grueling in the entire game, from taking foul tips to being bowled over by a charging runner from third. Will this be a recurring problem? Right now, there are more questions than answers, even if the injury doesn't appear to be severe.