1B FA
Sat 3/1/14 9:20 PM

Joe Mauer started his first spring training game at first base Saturday. "It felt a little different," Mauer said. "I've never actually played first base here at Spring Training, so I was a little worried about seeing the ball off the bat. It's a little bright out there, so it was nice I was able to get a ball in the first inning and make a play." Mauer is making the transition from catcher in hopes of avoiding concussions like the one that prematurely ended his 2013 season. The 30-year-old has started 54 games at first base for his career, so it's not as though he's a complete stranger to the position. Still, there will likely be a bit of a learning curve in his first season as a full-time first baseman.