Mauer homers in rehab stint

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau has been on the phone recently with catcher Joe Mauer and can tell Mauer is about ready to return.

"He's really frustrated with everything and he really didn't feel good to start the season," Morneau said. "Now he sounded like, 'Hey, my body is feeling a lot better. I feel like I'm ready to go.' "

Mauer proved that Friday when he hit an opposite-field, three-run homer in the first inning while playing for Class A Fort Myers in a rehabilitation stint. He finished 1-for-2 with the homer, two runs scored, four RBI and two walks.

Mauer on Friday caught for the third game in a row. He will work out on Saturday and catch for Fort Myers on Sunday.

There has been talk of Mauer returning to the lineup in time for next week's series against the White Sox. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he spoke with Mauer on Friday and will speak with him again Sunday evening.

"He actually says he's feeling really good," Gardenhire said. "Better than he has in a long time. He feels strong.

"We'll talk to him Sunday after the game. [He said] he doesn't have that beat-up feeling after catching two games in a row."

"We want him to come up here and play as much as he can and be himself instead of being here just to be here," Morneau said. "He's taken this much time, what's the difference between taking two or three more days if he needs it."

Morneau was out of the lineup for Friday's 9-3 loss to Texas to rest his sore left wrist but is expected to play Saturday.

Injury updates • Infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka (broken left fibula) started at shortstop at Fort Myers on Friday and could move to Class AAA Rochester as soon as Saturday to face tougher competition before being activated.

• Outfielder Jason Kubel (left foot sprain) hit in the cage and ran Friday. He is eligible to be activated next Friday.

• Designated hitter Jim Thome (left quadriceps, back) received an epidural Friday. The Twins will know more Saturday. He also can be activated Friday.

• Lefthander Glen Perkins (right oblique strain) will pitch one inning for Class AAA Rochester on Saturday.

• Righthander Joe Nathan (elbow strain) will throw in the bullpen Saturday then head to Fort Myers to continue his rehabilitation.

My wish There was a special guest at the ballpark on Friday: 17-year-old Michael Acosta, who has testicular cancer.

Acosta is the subject of ESPN's "My Wish" series, in which the station follows children with life-threatening medical conditions who want to meet prominent sports figures.

Acosta's mother is from the Twin Cites and met her husband here. Michael Acosta said he really started rooting for the Twins around 2002 ALCS and likes Gardenhire.

Acosta spent the early afternoon Friday in Gardenhire's office, then tried to shag fly balls during batting practice. He met Rangers manager Ron Washington, threw out the first pitch and help present the lineup card before the game.

Gardenhire was asked if Acosta helped fill out the lineup.