Joe Mauer Diagnosed with Pneumonia; Done for Year
By Editorial Staff
Joe Mauer has been diagnosed with mild pneumonia, and the Minnesota Twins have decided to shut him down for the remainder of the season.
Mauer had been dealing with cold symptoms for two weeks before visiting the Mayo Clinic Thursday. While there, Mauer received the news that his upper respiratory infection had turned into pneumonia. Doctors told Mauer that he needed at least two weeks of rest and medication to beat the sickness.
The diagnosis brings an end to what’s been an extremely disappointing season for the 2009 American League MVP. Mauer only made it 9 games into the 2011 season before hitting the disabled list with bilateral leg weakness. The issue was a result of the knee surgery Mauer underwent in December of 2010.
Once he returned, Mauer struggled to find his normal rhythm at the plate. After showing signs of improvement in July, Mauer was hampered by a lingering neck injury last month. He rejoined the Twins lineup on the 4th of September, just days after being diagnosed with his upper respiratory infection.
After averaging over 133 games played from 2005-2010, Mauer was only able to suit up 82 times this year for the Twins.
The injuries severely impacted Mauer’s 2011 performance, as the back stop was putting up numbers well below his career averages (.323/.403/.471). On the year, Mauer hit at a clip of .287/.360/.368 with 3 home runs, 15 doubles and 30 RBI’s.
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