The Minnesota Twins are still pursuing the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central, despite holding one of the top records in baseball. They currently find themselves trailing within their own division. Manager Rocco Baldelli is about to welcome back a couple of key hitters to his roster.
**Minnesota Twins Lineup Getting Healthier**
Brooks Lee was placed on the injured list on August 9, retroactive to August 8. This injury is different from the back issue he had earlier in the year; it’s right biceps tendonitis that has kept him sidelined for over two weeks. He’s expected to play for the St. Paul Saints this weekend.
Alex Kirilloff has been out since June. Initially, he was scheduled for a demotion to Triple-A, but after not showing up, he informed Baldelli about his injury. Instead of going to St. Paul, the former first-round pick was put on the 60-day injured list. He, too, will return to action for the Saints on Friday.
The specifics of the rehab assignments for both players are still unclear. Lee has been hitting from both sides of the plate for the past week and recently resumed playing in the field. His return seems likely to come sooner. Kirilloff might travel with the Saints to Omaha next week.
Following Byron Buxton’s latest injury, the Twins waited a few days before placing him on the injured list. Although this hip issue isn’t expected to be severe, Buxton’s history of injuries makes recovery timelines unpredictable.
**Byron Buxton’s Injury Timeline Uncertain**
Buxton exited the game against the Kansas City Royals on August 12, citing hip discomfort. He went to the clubhouse early and was later placed on the IL, retroactive to August 13. Initially, there was hope he might miss only the minimum time, but after a week, his return remains uncertain. The possibility of him being back by Friday, for a home game against the St. Louis Cardinals, still exists, but it’s not guaranteed.
It’s positive that a return on Friday isn’t ruled out, but the lack of a concrete timeline is concerning. Buxton has previously missed significant time due to hip issues in 2021 and 2022. His discomfort is linked to past knee injuries. The team’s head athletic trainer provided an update to Phil Miller of the Star Tribune, mentioning that Buxton has been making progress with his rehab activities and that a day off on Thursday will help reassess his condition.
**Byron Buxton Could Provide a Boost for the Twins**
Although Buxton’s return isn’t assured, having him back in the lineup would be a significant advantage. The Twins have struggled with pitching, particularly in the bullpen, recently. While their lineup has been solid, adding Buxton would enhance both their offensive and defensive capabilities. Remarkably, Buxton has been relatively healthy this season compared to previous years.
