TORONTO -- Twins catcher Joe Mauer is not in the starting lineup for the finale of this three-game series at Rogers Centre, as the Twins get ready to face lefthander Brett Cecil, trying to avoid a sweep.
This is somewhat surprising, since Mauer returned to play a day game Saturday after Friday night's opener. Manager Ron Gardenhire did say that Mauer took a beating in that game, catching Francisco Liriano, and this will give Mauer a break heading into three straight night games in New York.
"Frankie bounced 50 percent of his pitches, and Joe had to block them," Gardenhire said. "So he got beat around a little bit. Really, we were going to give him [a break] anyway. He caught two complete ballgames, basically, and we were going to give him a break anyway."
The bottom line is the Twins open April with 23 games in 24 days, and Mauer wasn't going to start every one of them.
"I talk to Joe on a daily basis and see how he's feeling," Gardenhire said. "My guess was that he was going to be pretty sore after last night. He got beat around pretty good. There was a lot of balls in the dirt, and he was a little sorer than usual. But he was going to play; if I want him to play, Joe's in, but I told him this is a good day to take a break."
Justin Morneau is getting a chance to DH, with Michael Cuddyer at first base. Matt Tolbert and Drew Butera are getting their first starts of the young season.
Update: Cecil could give the Twins another tough challenge today. Last year, he went 11-2 with a 3.47 ERA in 15 starts against AL East opponents.
TWINS (0-2)
