MINNEAPOLIS -- Starting Wednesday, there are 47 days remaining until Twins pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 20.

 

As a countdown of sorts towards the opening of camp, MLB.com is taking a look at each club -- position-by-position -- in a series called "Around the Horn."

 

This week, the focus is on catchers. The Twins are carrying five on their 40-man roster heading into 2005 -- Joe Mauer, Mike Redmond, Matthew LeCroy, Corky Miller and Rob Bowen.

 

When discussing that position, you naturally have to start with Mauer, and few conversations about him this winter have begun without asking about his surgically repaired left knee.

 

"That's why we have five [catchers] on the roster," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Tuesday. "We wanted to have depth but everything with Joe is fine."

 

Mauer spent most of the offseason working out at the club's complex in Fort Myers, Fla. He caught several innings of simulated games without problems. Right now, he's resting his legs but continuing to swing a bat.

 

The 21-year-old's rookie season was marred when he suffered a medial meniscus tear during the second game of the season. Arthroscopic surgery and complications during his recovery limited him to just 35 games.

 

Mauer made the most of the big league at-bats he did get. He batted .308 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 107 at-bats and earned praise for his defense and game-calling skills. He also showed many that the anticipation over the arrival of the St. Paul native and 2001 overall No. 1 pick wasn't purely hype.

 

Ryan didn't see the season as a total loss for Mauer.

 

"Even though he didn't play, it was beneficial to be around guys like [Torii] Hunter, [Brad] Radke, [Joe] Nathan and [Shannon] Stewart and see the preparation and day-to-day activity," Ryan said. "He's a better player regardless of what happened. Ultimately, he'll be better for it. Unfortunately, he had to go through a trying year."

 

The expectations are that Mauer will be the everyday catcher, but the organization will certainly be keeping a close eye on his health as the season progresses.

 

In 2004, Mauer's loss was partially blunted when veteran backup Henry Blanco stepped up and caught 114 games. The Twins wanted Blanco back, but he exercised a clause in his contract and departed as a free agent.

 

Ryan then turned to Redmond, who spent most of seven-year career as a backup catcher for the Marlins. He was signed to a two-year contract on Nov. 24.

 

"We have a veteran presence in Redmond, similar to Blanco last year," Ryan said.

 

The 33-year-old Redmond batted .256 with two homers and 25 RBIs in 81 games with Florida in 2004 and is a lifetime .284 hitter. He also comes with a reputation of working well with pitchers and is expected to be a good fit with the Twins' positive clubhouse chemistry.

 

LeCroy will likely be the team's third catcher, but also a designated hitter, first baseman and pinch-hitter. The 29-year-old, who batted .269 with nine homers and 39 RBIs in 2004, was re-signed to a one-year contract Dec. 20.

 

Last season because of injuries, the emergence of Blanco behind the plate and Lew Ford and Shannon Stewart getting much of the DH role, LeCroy's playing time suffered. Pitchers like throwing to him, but his poor throwing arm made manager Ron Gardenhire hesitant to using him behind the plate. LeCroy threw out just 14 percent of runners trying to steal.

 

"LeCroy is the type of guy that's a good feeling if you have to play him back there," Ryan said. "Ideally, he'd be more of a DH or first baseman, but he has versatility that we can put him behind the plate."

 

Miller was claimed off waivers in October and will also compete to be the third catcher, Ryan said. The 28-year-old is a career .203 hitter in parts of four seasons with the Reds.

 

Thinning depth at catcher because of Mauer's and LeCroy's injuries forced Minnesota to recall Bowen from Double-A New Britain three separate times in 2004. Bowen has yet to show he can hit at the big league level, but has good defensive skills behind the plate. He is expected to begin the 2005 season at Triple-A Rochester.

 

Next week: A look at the Twins' corner infielders.