Joe Mauer (back) is out of the Twins' lineup for the fourth straight game Friday. Mauer hasn't played since Monday due to back spasms. He's making progress and hopes to return at some point this weekend. Drew Butera is catching again Friday.

Joe Mauer (back) could return to the lineup this weekend. "He did a lot more today," general manager Terry Ryan said Thursday. "He's getting there." Mauer has sat out the last three games due to back spasms. With Ryan Doumit nursing an oblique injury, the Twins are down to Drew Butera at catcher.

Joe Mauer (back) is out of the Twins' lineup for the third straight game Thursday. Mauer hasn't played since Monday due to back spasms. He remains day-to-day.

Joe Mauer (back) is not in the Twins' lineup Wednesday for the second straight game. The Twins are considering him day-to-day. Drew Butera is behind the plate on Wednesday.

Joe Mauer was scratched from the Twins' starting lineup on Tuesday night because of back spasms. It's not believed to be a serious issue. Mauer is batting .319/.414/.447 with nine home runs, 29 doubles and 76 RBI through 569 plate appearances this season.

Joe Mauer hit a grand slam Saturday in the Twins' 8-7 defeat of the Royals. Mauer finished 1-for-3 with a walk. His overall power numbers are still lacking, but the 29-year-old backstop is batting .312/.406/.437 and has provided the Twinkies with plenty of real-life production. He should finish strong down the stretch.

Joe Mauer has cleared revocable waivers. Which means that he can be dealt to any team between now and 12 a.m. ET on Friday. Mauer is owed around $138 million over the next six years and carries a no-trade clause, so a move is highly doubtful to happen.

Joe Mauer had a nice day at the plate in Friday's loss to the Rays, going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and an RBI. Mauer is now hitting a blistering .320 on the season, solidifying his status as one of the truly elite offensive catchers in the league. Though he has just seven homers, he has driven home a respectable 64 runs while scoring 57 times and chipping in five steals.

Joe Mauer finished 2-for-4 with a home run Saturday in the Twins' 5-1 victory over the Royals. Mauer is now working on an eight-game hitting streak, and has lifted his batting line to a fantastic .325/.416/.448. The power hasn't been there for a while (tonight's homer was just his fourth of the season), but Mauer is still one of the best pure hitters in baseball.

Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in a losing effort against the Royals on Friday. While the power numbers are certainly lacking, Mauer is among the leaders in the American League with his .324 average. While he'll never live up to the massive home run totals he posted in 2009, he still remains one of the best offensive catchers in the league.