Mauer to return to manage Kernels in 2015

CEDAR RAPIDS - For his 36th birthday, Jake Mauer got a repeat gift. A third year managing the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

The parent Minnesota Twins announced field staffs for their minor-league affiliates Friday afternoon, and there are familiar names headed back to Cedar Rapids. Mauer, whose birthday is Saturday, will be joined here again by hitting coach Tommy Watkins.

Mauer guided the Kernels to the Midwest League's Western Division playoff finals in 2014. His 2013 team finished with an 88-50 record.

The new pitching coach for Cedar Rapids will be Henry Bonilla. He was at Rookie-level Elizabethton last season, spending 10 seasons in the minor leagues as a pitcher, including seeven in the Twins organization.

Curtis Simondet has been named the Kernels trainer for a second straight season. The team begins its season April 9 at Kane County, with the home opener April 12 against Beloit.

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