Joe Mauer returned to action on Tuesday August 30.

Joe Mauer (neck) is back in the Twins' starting lineup Tuesday night against the White Sox. Mauer missed the previous five games with neck stiffness. He'll serve as the designated hitter Tuesday while Rene Rivera makes another start behind the dish.

Joe Mauer (neck) is out of the lineup for the fifth straight game Monday. Mauer is still nursing a stiff neck, but the Twins expect he will avoid the disabled list. Rene Rivera, who was called up from the minors Sunday, will start in his place again Monday.

Joe Mauer (neck) is out of the lineup again Sunday. He hasn't played since Tuesday due to what has to be one of the worst stiff necks on record. The good news is that Mauer is feeling much better and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire expects him back in the lineup Monday or Tuesday.

Joe Mauer (neck) remained out of the lineup Saturday. Mauer hasn't played since Tuesday due to a stiff neck, but he was available off the bench Friday and it was assumed he would be good to go Saturday, but obviously that's not the case. He seems likely to be back in there Sunday.

Joe Mauer (neck) is out of Friday's lineup. Mauer has been bothered by a stiff neck since trying to catch a pop-up at first base earlier this week. He's available off the bench, and should return to the lineup Saturday. Drew Butera will start behind the plate in Friday night's series opener against the American League Central-leading Tigers.

Joe Mauer is out of Thursday's lineup against the Orioles with a stiff neck. Mauer suffered the injury while trying to catch a pop-up at first base earlier this week. He is available off the bench, so it doesn't sound like a major concern. Drew Butera will make the start behind the plate Thursday and bat ninth.

Joe Mauer went 3-for-4 in Minnesota's loss to the Yankees on Sunday. All three hits were singles. The multi-hit effort was Mauer's second straight, helping him up his average from .277 on August 19 to .288. For the season, Mauer is now hitting .288/.350/.352. His lack of power continues to stand out like a sore thumb.

Twins assistant GM Rob Antony said he expects Joe Mauer to catch 130 games per season and "do whatever the Twins need for the other 32." The Twins will keep Mauer behind the plate for as long as they can, and Mauer himself has said he prefers to remain at catcher, but he's played first base for 12 games and even right field once this season. The bigger concern at this point is not where he plays, but his lousy production at the plate, as the three-time batting champ is hitting just .277/.340/.335 with one homer in 242 at-bats this season.

Joe Mauer is starting in right field on Thursday evening for the first time in his professional career. Mauer did not play any outfield during his three-year tenure in the minor leagues and hadn't seen any action there in the majors. Drew Butera will catch and Justin Morneau will play first base in Thursday night's series-opener against the visiting Yankees.