Joe Mauer is expected to miss the rest of the season with a mild case of pneumonia. His injury plagued career has many fans wondering if he'll ever return to MVP form. Will Mauer have to permanently switch positions in order to have a productive, healthy career?

Last year at this time Joe Mauer wasn't doing a whole lot. This year the catcher says, "Every day I'm just, 'What do you want me to do today?' " He's worked out in all 12 spring practices since pitchers and catchers reported to spring training, and he will likely be in the Twins' lineup in the spring training opener on Saturday.

Republican Mitt Romney will begin running TV ads in Minnesota this weekend, with just over a week to go before the election, the Associated Press reports. Recent polls showed President Barack Obama with a solid lead in the state that has not voted for a Republican president since Richard Nixon in 1972.

There are now dueling get-to-know-you ads in the 8th District congressional race between Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., and DFL challenger Rick Nolan. In his newly released spot, Cravaack focuses on how he reached his goal of becoming a Naval aviator like his father – and how he is now a father who wants to help his children achieve their dreams.

Joe Mauer spoke with members of the media Friday to discuss his health, expectations for 2012, and why fans were frustrated with him last season. Mauer says he "can't control what people think", but he's prepared to be the starting catcher and play first base if his legs need a rest.

DFL candidate Jim Graves has released two TV ads targeting his 6th District opponent Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., one of which is critical of the incumbent for her response to the Verso Paper Mill fire and closing.

Here's a blast from the past (last year, actually). It's the Joe Mauer birthday rap, which was a statewide hit last year on this day, when the Twins' catcher turned 28. He's 29 today.

The group Minnesotans United for All Families, the leading opponent of a ballot measure that would ban gay marriage, has released its first TV ad in the Twin Cities and Duluth. It features a Catholic, Republican couple from Savage who opposes the measure.