"Joe Mauer didn't start Sunday's series finale at Miller Park, entering instead as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. That's not uncommon for many catchers in a day game following a night game.

Manager Ron Gardenhire pointed out that if the Twins weren't playing in a National League park, Mauer would have been the designated hitter. He also pointed out that if Mauer could play another position, he would have played Sunday.

"If he could play first base, he would probably be playing first base today, or third base, or somewhere," Gardenhire said. "That's why I want to explore all the options we have to keep his bat in the lineup as much as we possibly can, especially with all these people hurt."

With Justin Morneau out another six weeks or so because of neck surgery scheduled for Wednesday, Gardenhire is looking at all his options at first base. That includes regular backups Michael Cuddyer and Luke Hughes, as well as utility infielder Matt Tolbert, catcher Rene Rivera and even outfielder Jason Kubel.

But chief among the prospects is Mauer, a three-time American League batting champion who has missed more than two months this season because of injuries related to catching.

Mauer, Gardenhire said, will begin taking groundballs at first base today as the Twins prepare for a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. "