Minnesota.Twins.MLB.com

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

Joe Mauer is making progress with his surgically repaired left knee and is expected to be fully ready by Spring Training. (Jim Mone/AP)

What is Joe Mauer's status? Are there any indications of lingering effects from his injury, or is the team just playing it safe? -- Zach B., Jesup, Iowa

What is the story with Joe Mauer? The last we heard about him, his knee was still giving him problems. Will he be 100 percent for Spring Training, or is that a far-fetched dream? Laurie, St. Paul, Minn.

After many years of bopping out of foxholes for the U.S. Army, I know how tough good knees can be. Would the realm of Mauer -- strong arm and all -- move to third base and be plausible? -- Mark L., Farmington, Minn.

These were just some of the questions received thus far regarding the former overall No. 1 draft pick and St. Paul native. The most recent word I received from Twins general manager Terry Ryan is that Mauer was making progress with the rehabilitation of his surgically repaired left knee and should be on track to be 100 percent behind the plate again at Spring Training. He felt some pain in the crouch last month during Instructional League games, but after seeing his doctor, learned another surgery wasn't needed. Right now, the 21-year-old is continuing his offseason workouts in the Twin Cities area.

Having been limited by injury to 35 games and 107 at-bats this year, will Joe Mauer still be eligible for Rookie of the Year consideration next year? -- Sam D. St. Peter, Minn.

Have a question about the Twins? E-mail your query to MLB.com Twins beat reporter Kelly Thesier for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Mauer will not be a rookie in 2005. According to the rules, "a player is considered a rookie unless, during a previous season, he had exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of the 25-man limit (excluding time in military service and time on the disabled list).

According to my calculations, Mauer spent 46 days on the active roster (April 6-7, June 3-July 18). So he missed the rookie cut-off by exactly one day.

What do you think are the chances of the Twins re-signing Terry Mulholland? Terry was a breath of fresh air for the Twins this past season and I think it's imperative that he is re-signed. I'm aware that Terry would be used out of the bullpen this year, but his veteran leadership is something the Twins can continue to benefit from. -- Josh P., Faribault, Minn.

Ryan said last week the club "has interest" in re-signing Mulholland, who is a free agent. Even though he will be 42 years old in 2005, there are several things that have me thinking he would be brought back. He's left-handed and won't cost too much to retain. When his pitches are effective, he proved a difficult foe for hitters (like his eight-inning start at Cleveland in August). He eats innings and is always willing to take the ball in any role, whether it's a start, long relief or something situational. And, he's another positive presence in the clubhouse.

What should the next developments and milestones be in Johan Santana's career? I'm thinking it's keeping ahead of the batting opposition, developing pitches, staying healthy, the next stats on the radar and not dollars or seeking the Yankees-esque pay. I guess he is taking one wise step now, having a rest this offseason to keep himself healthy. -- David H., United Kingdom.

When you get 20 wins, the next milestone is simply to try and do it again. You are right -- he is using the winter to give his arm a break at home in Venezuela and won't participate in the winter leagues. When Santana arrives at Spring Training, he won't be working his way back from elbow surgery like he was this year -- it slowed him down in the early months of the season. That should make everyone optimistic for his numbers to get even better with a completely healthy 2005 season. (Perhaps 25 wins and 300 strikeouts?) But the left-hander will tell you the milestone he's most concerned about is for his team to reach the World Series, and not his own personal achievement. Hopefully, he already knows the dollars will come if he keeps doing what he's been doing since joining the rotation in mid-2003.

Speaking of Santana, I need to correct a mistake from an earlier mailbag. The AL Cy Young Award winner will be announced Thursday, Nov. 11. I was originally given information that it would be Nov. 9, which was incorrect. My apologies.

I just read that Eddie Guardado's option wasn't picked up in Seattle. What are the chances that he'll return to the Twins? I know that he regretted signing elsewhere and would love to come back. Even if he weren't the closer, he would be a valuable asset to the bullpen. Any comments? -- Keri D., Forest Lake, Minn.

You can douse out that coal from the hot stove -- Guardado is staying in Seattle. Although the Mariners turned down their $6 million 2005 club option on the former Twins closer, Guardado exercised his $4 million player option Tuesday and avoided being a free agent.

My family and I often wonder what's happened to former Twins. For example, is Chuck Knoblauch completely out of baseball now? And, is Paul Molitor still with Seattle -- or was he fired along with the manager? Elise Marquam-Jahns, Minnetonka, Minn.

Since playing 80 games in the outfield for the Royals in 2002, Knoblauch has been out of baseball. Molitor, a 2004 Hall of Fame inductee, and all of former manager Bob Melvin's coaches were given permission to seek jobs with other clubs. He and the others were told they would be considered for positions on new manager Mike Hargrove's staff.

I remember Kirby Puckett's salary being paid by insurance after he had to quit playing. Was Eric Milton's salary this year covered by the same kind of insurance? If so, did it count against the team's salary limitations? -- Patty H., Crystal, Minn.

No, the Twins didn't have to pay Milton in 2004 because he and his $9 million salary were traded to the Phillies for Carlos Silva and Nick Punto.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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