Mauer joins All-Star Home Run Derby

Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer joined the 2009 All-Star Home Run Derby contest when he was invited Friday by Major League Baseball.

The American League’s leading hitter with a .388 batting average — and the 2006 AL batting champion — came off the disabled list May 1 after beginning the season with a back injury.

Maurer was the franchise’s first player ever with 11 home runs and 30-plus RBI in a month when he returned and has surpassed his single season output with 15 homers.

I just think it’s a great event, Mauer said on the team’s Web site.

He has arranged for his high school coach — Jim O’Neill, from Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minn. — to pitch to him in the derby.

Detroit third baseman Brandon Inge, just named an all-star Friday, also accepted an invitation to the slugfest, scheduled for Monday, the day before the All-Star game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.