Chicago — Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a balky back. Mauer is scheduled to begin a running program early next week, manager Ron Gardenhire said Saturday before the Twins played the White Sox. Gardenhire added that Mauer was attempting to speed up the recovery schedule but team doctors were holding him back.

“Everything has gone really good. Catching, bullpens and hitting on the field,” Gardenhire said. “He feels great. He wants to push the envelope. He wants to go.”

Survivor off critical list

Anaheim, Calif. — A passenger injured in the car crash that killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two friends was taken off the critical list Saturday. Jon Wilhite was upgraded from critical to serious condition but remained in intensive care at UC Irvine Medical Center, hospital spokesman John Murray said.

“His vital signs were stable. Yesterday and Thursday they were unstable,” Murray said Saturday.

Angels call outfielder

Anaheim, Calif. — Outfielder Reggie Willits was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake by the Los Angeles Angels, and he may have been the saddest player in the clubhouse. He’s filling the roster opening created by the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart.

Willits told reporters Saturday, “It’s very difficult. Very difficult.”

Phoenix gets 2011 game

Phoenix — Commissioner Bud Selig says the Arizona Diamondbacks earned the right to play host to the 2011 All-Star game with persistence and an impressive bid.

Selig announced the selection Saturday at a news conference at Chase Field, the home of the Diamondbacks. Phoenix becomes the first first-time host of the All-Star game since Denver in 1998.