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Mauer back with Minnesota on Friday

Minnesota pitcher Joe Nathan throws live batting practice to Joe Mauer, who will return to the Twins on Friday. (Associated Press)

Joe Mauer’s return to the Minnesota lineup has been set for Friday.

Mauer finished his minor-league rehabilitation assignment by facing teammate Joe Nathan in a live batting practice session in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday. He hasn’t played for the Twins since April 12, plagued by weakness and soreness in his legs and throwing shoulder.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said before Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox in Minneapolis that Mauer will travel today and start at catcher on Friday against the San Diego Padres.

“It was a lot longer than I had hoped,” Mauer said after his workout. “But I got my work in, and I worked with a lot of great people down here. It was nice, but obviously I want to be up there in Minnesota and be up there playing. I feel like I’m ready to get out of here.”

Mauer has played in only nine games this year because of his injuries, hitting just .235 with four RBIs in the first season of an eight-year, $184 million contract extension. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in December and said last month that his body wasn’t ready when the season started.

Nathan said Mauer looked sharp.

“I threw him some pretty good breaking balls,” Nathan said. “It’s really just impressive to see the pitches he can take when he’s down 1-2 in the count. I threw him a couple of sliders. He put a good swing on them. It’s nice to see him find his swing again and start to feel good again.”

Clearing the bases

The Braves have Jason Heyward back in their lineup, and another injured outfielder could join him in a few days. Heyward, who has been on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder since May 22, returned to start in right field against the New York Mets. He said before the game he felt “awesome.” Meanwhile, Nate McLouth could soon join Heyward in the outfield. McLouth, recovering from a left oblique strain, took batting practice before the game and is expected to begin a rehab stint with Triple-A Gwinnett today. … Houston Astros reliever Brandon Lyon was placed on the 15-day disabled list on with tendinitis in his right biceps less than a week after returning from his first trip to the DL. Lyon, who started the season as Houston’s closer, missed more than a month on the DL with the same problem before he was activated last Thursday.