Joe Mauer went 3-for-4 and scored twice against the Brewers on Friday. All of the hits were singles, but it is a start for him. He raised his average from .213 to .241 tonight.

Joe Mauer will serve as the designated hitter Tuesday night against the Dodgers. It's his first game at DH since June 19. Mauer is just 6-for-34 (.176) since returning from the disabled list, pulling his batting average down to .206 for the year. While he'll be the designated hitter Tuesday, Rene Rivera will start behind the plate.

Joe Mauer was taking grounders at first base prior Monday at Target Field. It's a good idea, both in the short and long-term. The Twins won't have Justin Morneau back until sometime in August after neck surgery and Mauer needs to add some flexibility in order to prolong his career. While the 28-year-old has served as the designated hitter on occasion, he has never played another position besides catcher during his major league career.

Joe Mauer is not in Sunday's lineup. It's just a routine day off with a day game following a night game. Mauer is batting just .138 (4-for-29) since coming off the disabled list. Drew Butera will get a start behind the plate.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Joe Mauer could play some at first and/or third base while he looks for ways to keep his bat in the lineup with Justin Morneau out. Mauer has fielded grounders at third base during batting practice and Gardy told his catcher to find a first baseman's mitt, as well. "We might look at Joe Mauer playing other positions, mixing in the infield somewhere," Gardenhire said. "I mean possibilities -- I'm trying everything." Mauer has looked lost at the plate since coming off the DL, picking up just three hits in 25 at-bats to drop his average to .186. Things got even worse for him Friday, when he was called out by reliever Jose Mijares for his poor pitch selection.

Joe Mauer (back) is in the Twins' lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers. Mauer didn't start Thursday due to minor back stiffness, though he did appear as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. He'll bat third Friday against left-hander Randy Wolf.

Updating a previous item, Joe Mauer is not in Thursday's lineup due to minor back stiffness. We wouldn't panic quite yet, as Mauer is expected to be in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Brewers. Rene Rivera will start behind the plate Thursday.

Joe Mauer is not in the Twins' lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants. Not unexpected with the day game after the night game. Mauer is just 3-for-20 (.150) since returning from the disabled list, so hopefully the day off will do him some good. Rene Rivera will start behind the plate Thursday and bat seventh against right-hander Tim Lincecum.

Joe Mauer was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Twins' 5-1 loss to the Giants on Wednesday. First and foremost, the All-Star catcher is finally healthy. But he's still searching for groove, hitting 3-for-20 (.150) since being activated from the disabled list. Mauer still has time to salvage this season; the hits will come.

Joe Mauer will not catch Sunday. Mauer will DH instead. The injury-prone catcher has looked strong and healthy since being activated from the 60-day disabled list, but the Twins are going to find him rest and DH appearances where they can.