Mauer returns but must face Kluber

CLEVELAND — Joe Mauer’s reward for returning from a lengthy stint on the disabled list? An immediate matchup against two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber.

“Yeah, welcome back, Mauer said with a laugh.

The six-time All-Star returned to the Twins’ lineup Friday after missing 25 games with a strained neck and concussion-like symptoms after he was injured diving for a foul ball.

And while facing Kluber (10-2) might not be an ideal first step back, the struggling Twins, who right?” have one of the league’s weakest offenses, were thrilled to have Mauer back in their lineup.

“It’s good for any manager to have a chance to put a guy like Joe’s name down there,” said manager Paul Molitor, who had Mauer batting first against Kluber in the opener of a three-game series against the AL Centralleading Indians.

“Yeah, he’s in a good place, he’s excited to be here and we welcome him back. Hopefully, he can give us a little bit of a boost.”

The Twins came in seven games under .500 and batting just .238 as a team. They also entered the series with only three runs in the last 19 innings.

That’s not ideal against Kluber, who is 5-0 with a 0.76 ERA against the AL Central this season. Kluber, who hadn’t walked a batter in his last six starts, was looking to become the majors’ first 11-game winner.

“Obviously, he’s one of the best in the game,” Mauer said. “That’s the big leagues. You’re going to face the best night in and night out. It’s a tough matchup, but I’m just excited to be back.”

Mauer, who went 0-for-10 in a three-game rehab stint at Triple A, was batting .283 with one home run and 11 RBIs when he got hurt.