LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes that Joe Mauer (back) "appears to be at least a couple of days away from returning to action." Mauer has missed the last two games with lower back spasms. He said Tuesday that he's "starting to feel little bit better," but that's after feeling "pretty brutal" the first couple days. Mauer has been trying to loosen up the back by stretching, applying heat and having massages. It's not clear when he might be cleared for baseball activities.