Joe Mauer (oblique) will take swings in the cages Monday before hitting on the field Wednesday, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Mauer (oblique) will take swings in the cages Monday before hitting on the field Wednesday, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Analysis:

Mauer has been taking swings in the cages for a few days now, but it appears a timeline has finally been established for him to take the next step. If he can take live batting practice free of pain, he should be cleared for a return to live baseball action in the near future. Mauer hasn't taken the field in nearly a month, so there's a chance he could be sent on a brief rehab assignment to get his timing back before returning to the Twins.