If you wrote a screenplay about this Joe Mauer saga, it would be called, “CSI- Fort Myers.”

Another day, and still no word on how the examination in Baltimore on Saturday went. Mauer was back in the clubhouse on Sunday - and back in workout gear -  but it was unknown exactly what, if anything, he did. When Joe C. approached him, Mauer said he hadn’t heard any results yet.

Sound like some people want to confer before taking the next step. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. All I know is that we’ll let you know which direction they are headed with Mauer’s inflamed lower back as soon as we can.

Gardy on Sunday was faced with questions about alternatives if Mauer is out for awhile.

“We have to see where Joe is at,” Gardenhire said. “We are still waiting.”

Meanwhile, Andy Pettitte and the Yankees pitchers handled Twins hitters pretty well. Denard Span’s batting average is down to .097 after going 0 for 3 in Sunday. He worked the count to 3-2 in the first before popping out then got a 3-1 pitch in his next at-bat and was late, ending in a fly out. He doesn’t look horrible at the plate but it getting close to the time of camp when a hitter wants to start peaking.

How about Luke Hughes’ takeout slide in the first inning? The former Australian rules football player isn’t afraid of contact, but some in the pressbox felt he came in late.

Just arrived at Legends Field in Tampa. Boy, do I love Sunday morning drives down here. No drama.

 The Twins’ lineup mixes the present and future. The Yankees are trying to get a couple of their older players going - while complying with league rules that state a team must have ten players in its lineup. `Hip-hip, Jorge!’ Posada is catching AND leading off. And Hideki Matsui is playing in his sixth game this spring.

 Nick Punto said his bruised right triceps improved enough for him to swing left-handed yesterday. Joe Nathan said he’s scheduled to pitch two innings on Tuesday, so it’s all systems go for him after missing a few days with shoulder tendinitis.

Still waiting for the big update….

Twins:

1. Denard Span, LF. 2. Luke Hughes, 2B. 3. Carlos Gomez, CF. 4. Jason Kubel, DH. 5. Brendan Harris, 3B. 6. Brian Buscher, 1B 7. Mike Redmond, C 8. David Winfree, RF 9. Trevor Plouffe, SS Pitching: Glen Perkins, then Nick Blackburn, Rob Delaney, Sean Henn, Ben Julianel, Kevin Mulvey.

Yanks:

1. Jorge Posada, C. 2. Johnny Damon, LF. 3. Mark Teixeira, 1B 4. Hideki Matsui, DH 5. Nick Swisher, RF 6. Melky Cabrera, CF 7. Angel Berrora, 3B 8. Ramiro Pena, SS 9. Doug Bernier, 2B Pitching: Andy PettitteÂ

Twins GM Bill Smith told us a little while ago that he had not heard anything about Joe Mauer’s visit to Baltimore to see a specialist about his sore lower back.

Mauer was due back in Fort Myers this evening, so perhaps the Twins will know more by tomorrow at the latest.

Mauer has been unable to play all spring training because of inflammation in his right sacroiliac joint, which connects the lower back and pelvis. Mauer began feeling pain late last season, and a MRI revealed a kidney obstruction that was believed to be the reason for the pain. But the pain has persisted despite the kidney surgery being successful.

Smith was asked if he was getting nervous

“Long term? No.’’ he said. “No one has given me any reason to be and I hope they never do.’’

I know there’s a report out there about the Twins being interested in a certain former All-Star catcher - one who is now known for calling good games, I might add. I have not heard anything here about interest in him. That’s not to shoot it down totally, but it would make more sense for the Twins to wait to hear about Mauer’s visit to Baltimore before they start looking around for catching help.

And, as of now, there is nothing the Twins have heard that suggests Mauer will be out a long time.

The swelling in Nick Punto’s right arm has gone down enough that he might take a few light swings today, but he’s still a couple days away from returning to action.

Phil Humber is going to start on Monday against Baltimore. I’m guessing that they aren’t ready to start Blackburn yet and Humber needs to stretch out. Will check with Gardy after the game.

Although Denard Span is batting .107 he’s walked a team-high four times and has been robbed of a walk twice on bad 3-2 pitches that were called strikes.

Interesting lineup today. You replace Gomez with Span, Mauer for Crede, Kubel for Young, Crede for Harris, Young for Butera and Punto for Tolbert and you might just have your Opening Day lineup.

Lineups

Marlins:

1. Emilo Bonifacio, 3B.
2. Robert Andino, SS
3. Hanley Ramirez, DH
4, Dallas McPherson, 1B
5. Dan Uggla, 2B.
6. Jeremy Hermida, LF
7. Brett Carroll, RF
8. Alejandro De Aza, CF.
9. Brett Hayes, C

Pitching: Andrew Miller

Twins

1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Crede, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brendan Harris, 3B
8. Drew Butera, C.
9. Matt Tolbert, SS.

Pitching: Kevin Slowey

Twins catcher Joe Mauer worked on his conditioning at Hammond Stadium on Thursday while waiting for specialists to be lined up to look at the results of examinations of his inflamed lower back.

Mauer politely declined to talk about his situation - mainly because he had nothing to new to add. But he did make it clear that no one was trying to hide any information -  he’s just more comfortable talking about it once he knows how to deal with the inflammation and when we can expect him to get back on the field.

He underwent a magnetic resonance arthrogram on Tuesday that detected inflammation of the right sacroiliac joint, which is located between the base of the spine and the top of the pelvis.

The Twins are working with Mauer’s agent, Ron Shapiro, to determine who will look at the case next. Once they gather more opinions, they will devise a plan to get Mauer healthy then back on the field. As of now, there are no guarantees that Mauer will be ready to play by Opening Day.

In case you were wondering, Mauer only feels pain when he runs. So he can work on strengthening his core and other areas of his body.