Twins general manager Terry Ryan said he has no injury concerns about Joe Mauer and deems him "100 percent and ready to go." Mauer essentially declared himself totally healthy last month, and it sounds like the Twins back up the assessment. "He's fine," Ryan said. "I don't have any concerns about Mauer. From everybody that I've talked to, he's 100 percent and ready to go." Mauer is coming off an injury-plagued, disappointing season, but he did bat .314/.393/.416 in the second half after finally appearing to get his health and timing back.

Joe Mauer said he's totally recovered from the pneumonia that prematurely ended his season and has already begun offseason workouts. Mauer went to the IMG academy in Bradenton for his workouts last offseason but is changing up his routine this year. The former MVP batted just .287/.360/.368 with three homers, 30 RBI and a .729 OPS over 333 plate appearances in 2011, so he's trying to switch things up in hopes of a bounce-back season in 2012.

According to Judd Zulgad of 1500 ESPN, the Twins have named Terry Ryan as interim GM, replacing Bill Smith. Ryan served as Minnesota's general manager from 1995-2007 before resigning and giving way to Smith. After a disappointing 2011 season that saw the Twins go 63-99, the 58-year-old Ryan is now back in the GM's chair for a bit. The news certainly arrives as a shock, but the major league roster under Smith was under rapid decline and a change at the very top could be exactly what the organization needs. It's not known when the search for a permanent general manager will begin.

Twins placed C Joe Mauer on the 15-day disabled list with pneumonia. It's just a procedural move, as Mauer had been ruled out for the year last week. Limited to only 82 games in 2011, the 28-year-old backstop batted just .287/.360/.368 with three homers, 30 RBI and a .729 OPS over 333 plate appearances.

Joe Mauer will miss the rest of the season due to a mild case of pneumonia.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Joe Mauer is ready to resume catching again. Mauer hasn't been behind the plate since August 20 due to neck soreness followed by an upper respiratory infection. "Mauer can catch right now," Gardenhire said. "He's already told me, 'Whatever you want me to do. Catch, DH, first base, whatever you need me to do.' Right now it's just a better fit. Right now, leave him over there. I've got two other catchers. ... There's a good possibility he'll catch in Detroit."

Joe Mauer (upper respiratory infection) returned to the lineup against the Angels on Sunday and went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and two walks. He served as the team's DH. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Mauer wouldn't catch on Monday during the doubleheader against the White Sox. "He's not going to catch one of those games," Gardenhire said. "I'll have (Drew) Butera catch one and (Rene) Rivera the other. Mauer will DH in maybe both or even play first base." It's safe to keep Mauer in your lineup for the upcoming week.

Joe Mauer is out of Saturday's lineup with an upper respiratory infection. Mauer missed Friday's game as well with the infection, and stayed back at the team hotel Saturday in Anaheim. He should return to the lineup within a day or two.

Joe Mauer was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Angels due to illness. He'll likely return to the lineup in the next day or so. Luke Hughes will start in his place at first base Friday night.

Joe Mauer (neck) returned to the Twins' starting lineup Tuesday and went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Mauer missed the previous five games with neck stiffness. He served as the designated hitter Tuesday and assuming his neck feels OK, he should return behind the plate in the next day or so.