"If Joe Mauer plays first base this season, it will be without a net. There isn't time to assimilate all the situations he might see in a game, whether it's a bunt play, relay throw or 3-6-3 double-play opportunity.

"We have to just talk to him about that stuff, and we're not done talking to him," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Mauer has taken batting practice grounders at first before the past four games.

When asked about how much closer the catcher might be to playing another position, Gardenhire heaped sarcastic praise on Mauer, "how much progress he's made playing ground balls in BP" before concluding, "Hell, I won't know how good he'll be until I put him out at first base."

Morneau already stronger: Surgery to repair a ruptured disk in Justin Morneau's neck is already showing results, Twins trainer Rick McWane said.

"The doctors were very happy with the outcome," he said. "Both yesterday after the surgery and this morning, he demonstrated more strength in the arm already, which doctors felt was a very good sign."

A bone fragment from the disk was pinching a nerve, causing numbness in his fingers and general weakness in the arm. Also bothered by a sore left wrist, Morneau hasn't played since June 9. He will be limited to light activity for the next two weeks while soft tissue in his neck heals. After that, he can begin more strenuous work."