Lansing, MI - When the Lansing Lugnuts return home from their longest road trip of the season on Thursday, they'll do it around the presence of a major league superstar.

Mark Prior, the Cubs #1 draft pick and second overall selection in the 2001amateur player draft, will be making a rehabilitation start for the Lugnuts on Thursday, May 20th when Lansing plays host to the Fort Wayne Wizards at 7:05 p.m. Prior's arrival in Lansing marks the third time in franchise history that a big leaguer has worked a rehab start with the team, following Kevin Appier (1998) and Jeremi Gonzalez (2000).

Sidelined since the start of spring training with a inflamed right Achilles' tendon, Prior just completed a rehab start for the Cubs in extended spring training on Saturday, working two innings while throwing 23 pain free pitches. Prior's start in Lansing on Thursday night is barring any unforeseen medical problems and his stay in the capital city beyond Thursday's outing in unsure at this time. The 23-year-old right-hander was recently transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list on May 6th and the Cubs have an eye towards an early June return to the Cubs' rotation for the San Diego native.

Prior, who never played an inning of "A" ball during his first trip through the minor leagues in 2002, was 18-6 last season in 30 starts for the N.L. Central Division Champion Cubs. In 212 innings of work, he fanned 245 hitters and went 10-1 down the stretch in helping Chicago reach the National League Championship Series for the first time since 1989. In three post-season starts, Prior went 2-1 as the Cubs took the eventual World Champion Florida Marlins to seven games in the National League Championship Series. In his only previous minor league action, Prior went 4-1 for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx of the Southern League with an ERA of 2.60 and then went 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA for the Iowa Cubs before making his major league debut on May 22, 2002.

"This could be the single biggest thing to happen to the Lugnuts since the team's inaugural season in 1996," said Jeff Calhoun, General Manager for the Lansing Lugnuts. "We are thrilled to be affiliated with the Cubs, thrilled about Mark Prior's rehab start at Olds Park and thrilled to be able to bring the opportunity to see a major league star in our city to Lugnut fans."

Prior's rehab start will be a memorable kickoff to a sensational homestand for the Lugnuts that runs through May 27th. Tickets for Thursday's game are available online at lansinglugnuts.com, by telephone at 485-4500 x 251 and in person at the Olds Park Box Office.

For interview requests regarding Mark Prior, please direct all calls to Darla Bowen, Vice President of Marketing at (517) 485.4500, ext. 236.