Twins C Joe Mauer shut down for season

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer is shut down for the remainder of the season.

General manager Terry Ryan and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire both repeatedly expressed hope that the 30-year-old would return from his Aug. 19 concussion, but Ryan confirmed the inevitable Monday to MLB.com:

"With the calendar and the schedule and so forth about to run out, it's unrealistic for us to think we're going to get him on the field this year. Ultimately, we're going to work toward the 2014 season. There are no setbacks. There are no red flags here. But on the advice received from medical people, the best thing was to have Mauer get healthy as soon as possible and be ready for next year."

Mauer returned to working out Thursday and joined the team Friday at Target Field. The 30-year-old intends to work towards resuming his backstop duties next season.

"I have every intention to come back and catch," Mauer said. "That's what I do. Right now I have to take care of this situation so that I can, but I look forward to getting back on the field next year as a catcher."

The All-Star finished his season hitting .324/.404/.476 with 11 home runs in 113 games before a foul tip to his catcher's mask sent him to the disabled list.

Multiple attempts to work his way back onto the field for the Twins were stalled by recurring concussion symptoms.