"First-base duty for Joe Mauer is on deck.

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday he is planning to play Mauer at first base — for the first time in his major-league career — when the Twins play the White Sox tonight at U.S. Cellular Field.

''Joe Mauer will probably play first base, with Jim Thome at DH and Drew Butera catching,'' Gardenhire said.

Mauer wasn't in the starting lineup Wednesday for the Twins' 12-5 home loss to the Tampa Bay Rays — he took a foul tip off his shoulder Tuesday and had some soreness in the joint — but he struck out as a pinch hitter for Butera in the ninth inning.

''Catchers do get days off in the big leagues,'' Gardenhire said."