AL batting champ undergoes surgery

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has undergone "minor" surgery to eliminate a kidney obstruction, General Manager Bill Smith said Friday.

Smith said on the team's Web site the procedure took place this week at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Mauer, 25, has had the kidney obstruction since he was a child, but it became more bothersome recently.

"The club has no issues or concerns about it," Smith said. "Everything went fine, and he will be 100 percent ready for the start of spring training."

Mauer batted .328 last season with nine home runs and 85 RBI, and earned his second batting title in three years. He also captured his first career Gold Glove.

There was no word about his status for the World Baseball Classic in March. Mauer had not committed to play for Team USA before the surgery but had said last fall he would be interested.