KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Twins catcher Joe Mauer was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game against the Royals with a bruised right thumb.

Mauer hurt the thumb on a swing in Minnesota’s series finale Sunday at Cleveland. The thumb was worse when he arrived in Kansas City on Monday, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said before Tuesday night’s game that Mauer remains day to day.

After an injury wrecked season a year ago, Mauer had played in 51 of the Twins’ first 53 games. He’s hitting .298 with three homers and 25 RBIs, and was tied entering Tuesday with Denard Span for the most multi-hit games on the team with 16.

Drew Butera got the start behind the plate against Kansas City.

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