Joe Mauer (oblique) went through a light workout Saturday, playing soft-toss and fielding a few ground balls, including a handful while on his knees. It's a small step, but a step nonetheless. "At least he's [doing] baseball activity," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Saturday. "Let's wait and see what he comes in feeling like tomorrow. Maybe he'll be able to swing pretty soon." Manager Ron Gardenhire seemed more pessimistic, saying that Mauer "still feels it" while coughing and sneezing, "so he's obviously not ready to take swings." Mauer has been out since early July with a strained right oblique.