Mauer (back) will take batting practice Friday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Friday's BP session will mark Mauer's first since he landed on the DL. Manager Paul Molitor suggested Mauer will bypass a rehab assignment and return when first eligible Saturday if all goes well. Kennys Vargas has been seeing most of the work at first base in Mauer's absence.