Joe Mauer (thumb) took batting practice Friday. Mauer is not in the Twins' starting lineup on Friday evening against the Cubs, but he may be available to pinch-hit. The 29-year-old backstop has been sidelined since Sunday with a mild right thumb sprain.

Joe Mauer (thumb) is not in Friday's starting lineup. Mauer has now missed four straight games with a strained right thumb. He is fully expected to avoid the 15-day disabled list, but the Twins can't say for certain when he might be back in action.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said it's doubtful Joe Mauer (thumb) will return to the lineup Friday. It would be a fourth straight game that he's missed. Gardy did say that Mauer is improving, but he's just not quite ready yet. The Twins remain optimistic that he'll be able to avoid a trip to the disabled list.

The Twins are optimistic that Joe Mauer (thumb) will be able to avoid the 15-day disabled list. Mauer is not in the Twins' starting lineup on Wednesday for a third straight day, but his strained right thumb is apparently making progress. He'll be re-evaluated before Friday night's series-opener against the Cubs.

The Twins hope to have Joe Mauer (thumb) back in the lineup Friday. Mauer is missing his second straight game Tuesday and won't play Wednesday, either. He's feeling better, though, and could be ready to roll Friday following the off day Thursday. The star catcher sprained his right thumb on Sunday.

Joe Mauer said that his right thumb is more sore Monday than it was on Sunday. Mauer sprained the thumb on Sunday, so it's not surprising that he's still feeling the effects. He has been icing the injury and hopes to return to the lineup soon. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Joe Mauer (thumb) is not in Monday's lineup against the Royals. Mauer left Sunday's game with a sprained right thumb and is currently considered day-to-day. Ryan Doumit will start behind the plate Monday.

Joe Mauer doesn't believe the thumb injury he sustained in Sunday's game is serious. Mauer left the contest with a mild right thumb sprain he suffered while striking out against Indians lefthander Nick Hagadone. "I fouled a pitch back, and I felt it on that, and then it was a little worse on that last swing, too," Mauer said. "But the good news is it should only be day-to-day, so that's good." Mauer has only missed one game all year and was probably due for an off day anyway. "I'm hoping to get back in there real soon," he said.

Joe Mauer went 4-for-5 with a double in Sunday's blowout loss to the Brewers. Mauer's big day was a bright spot on an otherwise ugly afternoon for the 14-27 Twins. Mauer's first four-hit game of the season leaves him with a .293/.395/.401 triple slash. Excellent, but not $184 million excellent. He's homered just once in 147 at-bats.

Joe Mauer is not in Saturday's lineup against the Brewers. It's likely just a routine day off, as Mauer is coming of a three RBI night on Friday, and the Twins don't have the DH spot available. Drew Butera is starting at catcher with Ryan Doumit (calf) limited to pinch-hitting duties.