CINCINNATI (AP) — Catcher Joe Mauer is back in the Minnesota Twins’ lineup, but at a different position.
Mauer is playing first base and batting third for the second game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds. Mauer was out of the lineup for the last four games because of a bruised right thigh.
Manager Ron Gardenhire says Mauer’s thigh is fine and he could have caught Saturday, but he wanted to give struggling Justin Morneau a day off. Morneau is only 3 of 14 on Minnesota’s road trip.
Gardenhire also says closer Matt Capps is better and could be used in a non-save situation soon to ease him back into pitching. Capps hasn’t pitched in a game since June 15 because of a tender shoulder.
