The encouraging news is that, according to Joe Mauer, the Twins' star catcher is finally "turning a corner" in his rehabilitation from a viral infection and unrelated bilateral weakness in his legs. He had lost 15 pounds, and now that he's getting back into strength exercises, he's finding his fitness level that had for some time been absent.

But while Mauer is getting stronger every day, he still isn't hitting, catching, or throwing. He's very much still in the beginning stages of his rehab program, which means a return to the Twins' lineup isn't imminent.

Mauer will soon get himself back to participating in baseball activities. Once he gets comfortable doing that, he'll be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment to get him up to speed. Once he's up to speed, he'll be brought back to the Twins. That seems to be at least a few weeks away, and the struggling Twins can only hope that by then they haven't completely dropped out of the race.