Mauer went 3-for-5 with a double, triple, and three RBI in Sunday's victory over the Mariners. Sunday's effort raised Mauer's batting average on the season to .299. He also owns a healthy .392 OBP, but isn't doing much in the extra-base hit department, owning just three doubles, the triple, and zero home runs through 18 games.

Mauer went 1-for-4 with a two-run single and a sacrifice fly in Wednesday's win over the Royals. Mauer's been collecting hits pretty steadily -- nine in nine games -- but just as last year, his power's been absent. Exactly none of his hits have gone for extra bases, and Mauer's best fantasy asset at this point is the fact that he bats third in the Twins' lineup.

Mauer will hit in the No. 3 spot in the batting order this season despite manager Paul Molitor experimenting with Mauer in the No. 2 spot this spring, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Mauer is healthy this spring and has had a normal offseason after he was limited by concussion issues last winter. He's hitting just .237 with a home run this spring. While spring stats don't mean much for a veteran with a set starting job, his spring hasn't added much to the idea he'll bounce back from the worst season of his career at the plate.

Mauer batted second in the order in Wednesday's split squad loss to Baltimore with Brian Dozier hitting third. Manager Paul Molitor has said he's considering Mauer for the No. 2 spot in the order but won't bat him leadoff, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Mauer's combination of a high OBP and low home run totals would make him a better fit at the top of the order. Molitor doesn't feel he's fast enough to hit leadoff, even though Mauer's .401 OBP is third among active players and he rates well as a baserunner by advanced metrics. Mauer is hitting just 3-for-16, but there's little to read into his spring stats as a veteran with a secure starting job.

Mauer (elbow) is back in the lineup Thursday against the Tigers, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. After sitting out Wednesday to rest his elbow, Mauer is expected to slot back in at first base or DH for the Twins' final four games of the season. While his presence in the lineup is reassuring for fantasy owners fighting tooth and nail for every run and RBI they can find, Mauer's contributions this season will end up going down as a huge disappointment. His .276 batting average and four home runs represent the lowest outputs of his career for seasons in which he's logged 500 plate appearances.

Manager Ron Gardenhire intends for Mauer (elbow) to play in all four games of the Twins' final series against the Tigers, which starts Thursday, the Associated Press reports. Gardenhire is operating under the desire to play spoiler as the Tigers are fighting for a Central Division title. After getting an anticipated day off Wednesday, the hope is that the swelling in Mauer's elbow has died down enough for him to slot in at first base or as the designated hitter, so it's not yet time to cut ties with him in fantasy leagues.

Mauer (elbow) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Mauer was expected to miss Wednesday's game after being hit on the nerve above his elbow Tuesday, which then experienced some swelling. He is indeed out Wednesday, with Kennys Vargas taking the duties at first base and Josmil Pinto serving as the designated hitter.

Mauer was hit with a pitch on the nerve right above his right elbow and had to leave Tuesday's game due to swelling, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports. He is expected to miss Wednesday's game. Look for Chris Parmelee to start at first base Wednesday, and consider Mauer day-to-day for now, with the hope that his swelling subsides and he can start a few more games this season.

Mauer left Tuesday's game after getting hit on the elbow and is day-to-day, Fox Sports North's Tyler Mason reports. He stayed in the game initially after suffering the elbow contusion on the hit-by-pitch in the first inning, but the Twins wisely opted to play it safe and remove him in the second inning. Chris Parmelee replaced Mauer and would figure to get any starts at first base if Mauer misses any further time.

Mauer is not in the lineup Monday, Fox Sports North's Tyler Mason reports. Chris Parmelee will get the start at first base as the Twins will give Mauer a rare day off. He's 10-for-27 over his last seven games and is finishing off the season strong. Mauer is still getting on base at a solid clip (.361), but his four home runs in 115 games have really limited his value this season.