Mauer to make Red Wings debut

Star rookie likely will play tonight

There was a buzz in the Red Wings clubhouse on Thursday, but it had nothing to do with the team’s 5-2 win over Norfolk.

Joe Mauer is joining the Wings on a rehab stint beginning tonight. He is expected to play at Frontier Field at least through Monday.

”I think the boys are as excited as the fans at having him come here,” said manager Phil Roof.

Mauer is the 20-year-old catching phenom who was named Minor League Player of the Year last season, then jumped from Double-A to the major leagues this spring.

The St. Paul, Minn., native tore cartilage in his left knee in the Minnesota Twins’ second game and has been sidelined ever since.

Mauer has been working out in Fort Myers, Fla., but will join the Wings for tonight’s 7:05 game against Norfolk.

”It’s going to be great having him,’ said Wings outfielder Jason Kubel, Mauer’s teammate at Single-A Fort Myers last year. “There’s nothing you can say bad about him.’

Roof said Mauer will bat third in the lineup and either DH or play catcher. Mauer, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2001, will wear No. 7, his regular uniform number.

Since Baseball America began in 1990 compiling its list of the top 100 major league prospects, only five No. 1 choices have played at Triple-A that season: Alex Rodriguez (Tacoma 1995), Steve Avery (Richmond 1990), Chipper Jones (Richmond 1993), Andruw Jones (Richmond 1996) and J.D. Drew (Memphis 1999).