'Hyperextended' neck keeping Mauer out; Morneau has sore shoulder

Seeing Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau's names together on the same lineup card has been a rarity for the Minnesota Twins over the last two seasons, and Monday was no different.

Morneau was sidelined for the series opener against the Chicago White Sox with a banged-up shoulder he suffered while diving for a ball in Sunday's game.

And Mauer was sidelined for a sixth consecutive game with what he described as a 'hyperextended' neck.

Mauer, who hasn't caught since Aug. 20, told reporters he injured the neck last week while attempting to catch a pop-up, and he hopes to be available off the bench.

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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