Mauer and Sano both out of the lineup as Twins play against Dansby Swanson and the Braves

I did it again.

One day after I wrote about Joe Mauer using his legs more in his swing - and liking the results - No. 7 is not in tonight's lineup because both his quads are sore.

This comes after Mauer collected three hits on Tuesday, including a home run, to put his average at .412 this month. Twins PR maven Mitch Hestad pointed out in the pre-game notes that Mauer has more hits, RBI and walks in August than in any month. But the Neal jinx is powerful, and Mauer is not starting tonight.

Twins manager Paul Molitor said that Mauer definitely is available to pinch hit tonight and should be good to go when the Twins head to KC for four games starting Thursday. Molitor even said that Mauer probably would be in the lineup as the DH if the Twins were playing AL rules tonight.

``Could have I pushed him out there? Probably," Molitor said. ``But I think he would tell you that he's not at 100 percent in terms of what he can do on the bases and that might affect his defense. I'm going to give him a day here today but we will reevaluate him tomorrow. Nothing major, but I know that he's not 100 percent."

It gives Kennys Vargas a chance to play. Vargas has started in just five of the Twins 15 games this month but is batting .272 with a .388 on base percentage. His walk rate is definitely better in his latest major league stint.

Miguel Sano made about 15-20 throws before Tuesday's game and is out on the field right now for pre-game work. Molitor said Sano is not quite 100 percent but it looks like Sano's right elbow has improved enough that Molitor expects to have him available to play third tomorrow in KC.

(Watching Sano throw during batting practice right now. He's not letting it loose yet.)

The future has arrived for the Braves in the form of former No.1 overall pick Dansby Swanson, who was called up today and is making his major league debut.

``I'm well aware of him," Molitor said. ``I've heard a lot of good things about the kid. High baseball intelligence. It makes you think back to when you got a chance to play your first big league game as a shortstop, which I can compare him to. I wish him well and hopefully, his debut isn't too good."

Twins

Brian Dozier, 2B
Jorge Polanco, SS
Max Kepler, RF
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Kennys Vargas, 1B
Eddie Rosario, CF
Juan Centeno, C
Robbie Grossman, LF
Kyle Gibson, RHP