Mauer’s picked for Home Run Derby

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Joe Mauer’s sudden power has earned him a place in baseball’s home run derby.

Mauer accepted an invitation Friday to participate in the popular All-Star week event Monday night in St. Louis. The Twins catcher will try to pick up where teammate Justin Morneau left off last year.

Morneau overtook Josh Hamilton and won the competition in 2008, but the first baseman decided he wanted to rest this time. Several other sluggers around the American League have opted out, too, including Hamilton, Mark Teixeira and Torii Hunter; the lineup is still being put together. From the National League, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez have been named as entrants.

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