Twins assign Mauer to Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, FL (June 4, 2011) - The Minnesota Twins announced today that catcher Joe Mauer has been assigned to Fort Myers on a Major League Rehab assignment for an "indefinite period of time". Mauer will make his first appearance with the Miracle on Sunday, June 5 at 1:05pm against Jupiter at Hammond Stadium.

The Miracle finish the series against Jupiter on Monday, before Palm Beach comes to town for a three-game series on Wednesday-Friday. All four games begin at 7:05pm.

The addition of Mauer to the roster reunites him with his older brother, Jake, who is in his second year as manager of the Miracle.

"I hope he's ready to play because we are trying to win a division," said a joking Miracle skipper. Jake, 32 and Joe, 28 both played together with the Miracle in 2003.

"It will be good to have him over here. Especially for our young pitchers and catchers," said Jake, who managed Joe during an Extended Spring Training appearance in 2009.

The 2009 American League Most Valuable Player, played 62 games with the Miracle in 2003 and had rehab stints in Fort Myers in 2004, 2007 and 2009.

"A stint here for him will be good and even better to get him out of here healthy," said Mauer.

The three-time AL batting champion, on the disabled list since April 14 with leg weakness, is hitting .235 with four RBIs in nine games this year.

Tickets are available at the Fort Myers Miracle 3rd floor Hammond Stadium ticket office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by phone (239) 768-4210. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.miraclebaseball.com, with the Miracle's online ticket system allowing fans the ability to select their exact seat location for each game and print tickets at home.