Joe Mauer went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays. Mauer ends the season with a .319 average, his best mark since he hit an eye-popping .365 in 2009, and likely good enough for fourth in the American League. His .416 on-base percentage will go down as tops in all of baseball, however. Not bad for a player who was drawing boos at Target Field earlier this season. Six months shy of his 30th birthday, Mauer is signed with the Twins through 2018.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said during a conference call with season-ticket holders Thursday that he's thought about giving Joe Mauer some playing time at third base next season. Gardy has yet to approach Mauer, so obviously it's not an idea that's far along. Perhaps it will gain more steam next spring. "That's the first I've heard of it today," Mauer said. "I haven't even wrapped my head around it, so if that is the case, hopefully I have some time to prepare for it. But I think, and I've said this all along, I think we're a better team when I'm behind the plate."

Joe Mauer went 3-for-4 with four RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Tigers. Mauer drove in his first two with a single and a sac fly before capping things off with a two-RBI triple. He seems to have gone a little overlooked because of the Twins' poor season, but Mauer is having a terrific year, batting .326/.419/.462 with 10 homers and 83 RBI.

Joe Mauer reached base five times and delivered an RBI single, leading the Twins to a 6-5 victory over the Indians in 12 innings on Tuesday. He finished the night 3-for-4 with an RBI and also walked twice. He's somewhat quietly having a terrific season, hitting .325/.419/.458 with 10 homers, 78 RBI and eight stolen bases. Even without being able to replicate his impressive power display from the 2009 season, his strong average and counting stats make him a top-five option at the catcher position.

Joe Mauer went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI in Sunday's loss to the White Sox. Mauer returned to the lineup to hit a home run in his first at-bat off Jake Peavy after missing five games with back spasms. He played first base on Sunday and is now hitting .321 on the season.

Joe Mauer is back in the Twins' lineup Sunday. Mauer tested out his back with a pre-game fitness test before being cleared to return to action. He's playing first base, with Ryan Doumit behind the plate and Justin Morneau at DH. The 29-year-old returns to a .319/.414/.447 batting line with nine homers and 76 RBI over 131 games.

Joe Mauer (back) is not in the Twins' lineup for the sixth straight game Sunday. Mauer is expected to return to action Tuesday following Monday's off day. He's been nursing back spasms.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Joe Mauer (back) could be available Sunday and will return to the lineup "definitely by Tuesday." With an off day Monday, the Twins seem likely to hold Mauer out one more day before bringing him back against the Indians. If he does sit out Sunday, he'll have missed six straight games due to back spasms.

Joe Mauer will test out his back with a pre-game fitness test Sunday. Mauer, who has sat out five straight games, is hoping to at least be available to pinch-hit Sunday and could possibly be in the lineup if the pre-game drills go well. "The first couple of days were really rough," Mauer said. "[Friday] was the first day it felt good doing everyday things."

Joe Mauer (back) is out of the Twins' lineup for the fifth straight game Saturday. Mauer is making progress, but there's still no target date for his return. The Twins purchased the contract of Chris Herrmann from Double-A New Britain on Friday to provide catching depth.