MLB 2011: Minnesota Twins Put Joe Mauer on the Disabled List

Francisco Liriano wants to pitch to contact, Joe Nathan is blowing saves, Justin Morneau has a .619 OPS, Tsuyoshi Nishioka has a broken leg, and the normally passive Minnesota Twin fanbase is getting restless.

It hasn’t been the best start to the 2011 season for the Twins. And now things might get worse for Ron Gardenhire’s ball club.

The Twins placed catcher Joe Mauer on the 15-day disabled list with bilateral leg weakness. According to freemd.com, bilateral leg weakness may be caused by a malfunction of the brain, the spinal cord, or nerves. These structures transmit signals from the brain, which stimulate the muscles to move the leg. Treatment may include medications, vitamin supplements, and surgery.

Mauer will visit a specialist in Baltimore over the weekend.

In Mauer’s place, the Twins will roll with Drew Butera behind the plate. This is the equivalent of, you know, Drew Butera replacing Mauer behind the plate.

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