Joe Mauer has hit a snag in his bid to get off the disabled list.

The Minnesota Twins catcher, trying to recover from a strained left quadricep, was sore Wednesday for a second day, throwing into doubt his plan to return to action Friday.

American League batting champion Joe Mauer is hitting .353 in 28 games this season.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Team trainers want to limit Mauer's activities while he's hurting, making it less likely the reigning American League batting champion will be ready for the game against the Athletics at Oakland.

"They're not going to try to push the issue," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Team doctors have decided Mauer, who landed on the DL on May 6, doesn't need a second MRI test. But the Twins will wait until everyone — including Mauer — is sure he's healthy.

"I want Joe to tell me that he can play," Gardenhire said.

Veteran backup Mike Redmond has posted a surprising .413 batting average in Mauer's absence, but Mauer is considered perhaps the finest-hitting catcher in baseball.

After hitting .347 in 2006 to become the first AL catcher to win the batting title, the 24-year-old is hitting .353 with a .480 on-base percentage and one home run in 28 games this season.

With files from the Associated Press