Mauer suffers setback; Buxton undergoes X-rays

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins first baseman Joe Mauer, who was getting close to returning from the 10-day disabled list, said he suffered a setback with his concussion-like symptoms while fielding grounders before Thursday's game against the Indians. There's no timetable for his return, but Mauer said he doesn't believe it's a long-term setback.
"It's progressing, but today wasn't where I wanted to be," Mauer said. "They're telling me that can happen. I had to back off it today. There are different levels we're attacking, and today I got a better feeling for where I'm at, and I'm not there yet."
Mauer, on the DL since May 19 with a cervical neck strain and concussion-like symptoms stemming from a diving attempt at Angel Stadium on May 11, had seen his symptoms subside over the last five days or so while participating in full workouts at Target Field.
Mauer took early batting practice and fielded grounders before Thursday's game, only to see his symptoms return. He had to shut down his workout early but was back out on the field for regular batting practice, receiving throws at first base.
Mauer, who suffered a career-altering concussion in 2013 that forced him to move from catcher to first base, also said he believes he did suffer a concussion on that diving play.
"I definitely had the symptoms," Mauer said. "If you have the symptoms, you probably had one. I've been having good days up until today. So I'm just more disappointed."

Mauer remained optimistic it wasn't a major setback, but he said he's not going to return until the symptoms are completely gone, given his history.
"When I come back, I want to stay," Mauer said. "I don't want to go back. Or go back to the place I was about a week ago. My goal is to come back and stay."
Buxton undergoes X-ray on big toe
Twins center fielder Byron Buxton, who was placed on the 10-day DL for a second time with a fractured big left toe on Wednesday, underwent X-rays that revealed the injury didn't worsen while playing. The plan is to let it heal over the next week or so and then he'll be re-evaluated. There's no timetable for his return.
"If it was up to me, I'd be playing today," Buxton said. "It's frustrating. But I've gotta keep it in perspective that it's something that you can't just rush back to and do what I did last time. So it's more of a precaution thing now to get it healed up."

Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said it was good news that Buxton didn't sustain any further damage and commended him for trying to play through the injury.
"I don't think it changed the timeline," Falvey said. "We've seen some healing and progress. He's a warrior, and he fought through pain there. I don't think his swing was the same because he couldn't put pressure on his foot. But we just felt like this was the best decision for him and the team."
Santana to see doctor on Monday
Right-hander Ervin Santana, who was pulled off his rehab assignment on Wednesday after suffering a setback with his surgically-repaired right middle finger, will head to New York on Monday to see Dr. Charles Melone, who performed the surgery. His velocity was an issue in his two rehab starts, as his fastball topped out at 90 mph, and Santana said it was tough to get a feel for his pitches.
"We're looking for more velocity, but he's still in the early stages of pitching in games," Falvey said. "It's like building up in Spring Training. I think he's below where he wants it to be. But we'll take it day by day."
Polanco working out
Shortstop Jorge Polanco, who is serving an 80-game suspension for the use of performance-enhancing drugs, has continued to work out and face pitchers in extended spring training in Fort Myers, Fla. Polanco is eligible to return in early July and can start a 20-day rehab assignment before his return.
The Twins have used Polanco's time away from playing in games to allow him to practice his defense at short, utilizing several drills under the direction of Minor League infield coordinator and former Major League manager Sam Perlozzo.
"We're trying to take this time he's down, not just to play and have at-bats, but to do some things to make him better defensively and improve his range," Falvey said. "He's a great kid who works really hard. I'll give him a lot of credit for the work he's putting in down there."