Joe Mauer went 3-for-5 with a run scored Monday against the Brewers. Mauer had a single and two doubles. It was his first multi-hit game since May 23. While we'll take this as progress, he has uncharacteristically struck out twice in three consecutive games.

Joe Mauer went 2-for-5 with his first triple of the season Friday versus the Giants. It was his first triple since 2012, when he had four of them. It was also just his seventh extra-base hit of 2014. The Twins don't necessarily need more power from him if he goes back to hitting his usual .320 with a .400 OBP, but he hasn't done that either this year.

Joe Mauer looked as if he didn't miss a beat in his return to the Twins lineup on Saturday, going 1-for-3 plus a walk in a losing effort against the Tigers. Mauer had been sidelined since Sunday due to lower back spasms, but he appears to now be over the issue. While he served as the DH in this one, look for him to return to the field on Sunday.

Joe Mauer will return to the Twins starting lineup on Saturday, serving as the designated hitter against the Tigers. Mauer has been sidelined since Sunday due to lower back spasms, but has seen much improvement in recent days. It's the type of injury that could linger and force him to miss a few games here and there, but it's a good sign that he didn't require a trip to the disabled list.

Joe Mauer (back) remained out of the Twins' lineup on Friday. Mauer was slated to increase his activities on Friday, but Saturday was seen as the more likely day that he was return to action. The first baseman hasn't played since leaving Sunday's game with lower back spasms.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire believes that Joe Mauer (back) is more likely to return on Saturday than Friday. Mauer is missing his fourth straight start Thursday due to back spasms, but he's hoping to return to action Friday. Gardenhire isn't nearly as optimistic, but the disabled list isn't a consideration at this point.

Joe Mauer (back) is not in the Twins' starting lineup Thursday afternoon against the Indians. Mauer is still dealing with lower back spasms and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire hinted Thursday morning that a 15-day disabled list stint may be coming. The Twins will reevaluate their first baseman on Friday.

Joe Mauer (back) played catch and took light swings off a tee before Wednesday's game. "He did fine. Little sore at the end of the day," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He went through a lot." Mauer hasn't played since Sunday, and is seems as though he's still got some progressing to do before getting back in the lineup. Sometime this weekend might be a best-case scenario for the first baseman's return.

Joe Mauer (back) remained out of the Twins' lineup Wednesday. Mauer hasn't played since leaving Sunday's game with lower back spasms and is expected to miss at least another game or two. Chris Colabello is at first base Wednesday.

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.