It's twins for Twins catcher Joe Mauer

MINNEAPOLIS, July 24 (UPI) -- Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been put on the paternity leave list after his wife gave birth Wednesday to twins.

Mauer was scratched from Tuesday's game in California against the Los Angeles Angels after he received word that his wife had gone into labor. Early Wednesday the team announced twin daughters -- Emily and Maren -- had been born to Maddie and Joe Mauer.

The announcement said Joe Mauer made it back to Minnesota in time for the birth.

Mauer said during the All-Star break the original due date was Aug. 31 but the twins could be born any time before that.

Mauer, who has played his entire 10-year major-league career with the Twins, is hitting .324 with eight home runs and 34 runs batted in 92 games this season. A six-time All Star, Mauer was voted the American League Most Valuable Player in 2009 when he hit a league-leading .365 and had 28 homes run and 98 RBI.

Minnesota recalled catcher Drew Butera from Triple-A Rochester to take Mauer's spot on the roster. Butera, who previously appeared in 184 games in the last three seasons with Minnesota, was hitting .215 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 25 games in Rochester.