Mauer not in starting lineup as Twins face White Sox ace

Mauer is available to pinch hit and will be in lineup on Sunday, but is getting a day off today.

May 23, 2015 at 6:37PM
Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer (7) is greeted by Aaron Hicks (32) after scoring on a three-run double by Torii Hunter off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer (7) is greeted by Aaron Hicks (32) after scoring on a three-run double by Torii Hunter off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Twins manager Paul Molitor has trotted out his right-handed hitters against Sox ace lefty Chris Sale.

Joe Mauer is batting .338 against lefties - but is not in the lineup.

``I'm taking a big picture approach with Joe," Molitor said, later adding that Mauer will be in the lineup tomorrow.

Mauer is batting .296 against Sale and .391 against Jose Quintana, tomorrow's starter.

Mauer insisted before the game that he's fine.

``I told (Molitor) that I was ready to play," he said.

Mauer is available to pinch hit and expects to play tomorrow. It just seems strange that this is happening during a week with two scheduled off days.

First pitch probably won't be until 3:25, because the White Sox will retire Paul Konerko's No. 14 before the game. That will give you time to throw another burger on the grill.

Twins

Brian Dozier, 2B
Shane Robinson,. LF
Trevor Plouffe, 1B
Torii Hunter, RF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Eduardo Nunez, DH
Aaron Hicks, CF
Danny Santana. SS

Trevor May, RHP

White Sox

Adam Eaton, CF
Melky Cabrera, LF
Jose Abreu, 1B
Adam LaRoche, DH
Conor Gillaspie, 3B
Alexei Ramirez, SS
J.B. Shuck, RF
Tyler Flowers, C
Carlos Sanchez, 2B

Chris Sale, LHP

about the writer

about the writer

La Velle E. Neal III

Columnist

La Velle E. Neal III is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who previously covered the Twins for more than 20 years.

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