Buck's Back: Twins To Activate Byron Buxton on Friday

[Nick Nelson]

Following Wednesday's win over the Angels, the Twins surprisingly announced that Byron Buxton will be activated from the injured list ahead of Friday's game against Cincinnati. 

Minnesota is getting back one of its most valuable players for this critical last stretch of the season, though it remains to be seen what kind of shape he'll be in.

Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

It's been exactly one month since Byron Buxton last played in a game for the Minnesota Twins. On August 12th, he exited following his third at-bat against the Royals at Target Field due to hip discomfort. When the pain didn't improve after a few days, Buxton was placed on the injured list, and there he has remained for the past four weeks, while the Twins have fallen into a season-threatening slump.

Initial optimism resulting from a "clean" MRI on Buxton's hip gradually faded as the discomfort persisted for days and weeks, with doctors suggesting scar tissue from a previous injury may be the cause. 

At the beginning of September, Buxton embarked on a rehab assignment in St. Paul, making it through his first game before needing to bow out midway through the second when hip discomfort reemerged. The Twins announced they were pausing his rehab assignment, and with that, the 30-year-old's season appeared very much in doubt.

Then, in the past few days, Buxton started taking swings on the field alongside other sidelined Minnesota hitters at Target Field against minor-league pitchers called in from Cedar Rapids. Evidently the Twins liked what they saw from Manuel Margot enough activate him on Wednesday, and Buxton follows as next in line.

After Wednesday night's 6-4 victory over the Angels, the Twins proactively announced that they'll be activating Buxton from the injured list on Friday, and sending Austin Martin to the minors. (Notably, not DaShawn Keirsey Jr.) Presumably, Buxton will be in the lineup and in center field on Friday night against the Reds.

 

It's anyone's guess what to expect. Buxton hasn't played in a month, and he looked visibly uncomfortable during his handful of at-bats in Triple-A. Has he experienced some sort of breakthrough in the week since, or is he just throwing caution to the wind and pushing through pain to try and help, with the team struggling to hold onto playoff position? I admire Buxton's grit and determination, as always, but I wonder what we can realistically expect. 

 

Buxton is one of the Twins' most talented, valuable, difference-making players. Probably number two in each of those categories behind Carlos Correa, actually. Despite having played only 90 of 146 games, Buxton ranks second among all Twins players in fWAR (3.3), behind Correa (3.6), who's played only 75 games. 

If he can stay healthy enough to push across the finish line, even in a diminished state, Buxton has a chance to alter the team's fortunes in a profound way. And by the way, Correa gave an optimistic update on his own health in recent days that suggests his return may not be far off. Are the tides finally turning at an opportune time? 

What are your expectations for Buxton in his return to the lineup? Will you be confident or wincing as he steps in the box on Friday night? Let's hear from you in the comments!

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[S Bart]

Correa has been taking batting practice lately and could be activated soon also.  

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, S Bart said:

Correa has been taking batting practice lately and could be activated soon also.  

Given a choice I'd rather get Correa back over Buxton.

[Schmoeman5]

Yay! Warm up that hype train. 

[GNess]

Buxton now, Correa soon - ready and in time to make a difference?

 

[mnfireman]

Then comes the big question; who gets optioned out? I would like to see Kiersey stay up as insurance, but Baldelli likes playing Margot in CF. Julien, Lee and Martin have played good enough to stay, but with Correa also due back, 2 of them may/will have to be optioned out

[ashbury]

24 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

Then comes the big question; who gets optioned out? I would like to see Kiersey stay up as insurance, but Baldelli likes playing Margot in CF. Julien, Lee and Martin have played good enough to stay, but with Correa also due back, 2 of them may/will have to be optioned out

The article stated it will be Austin Martin.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Keirsey stays, Martin goes. Interesting choice. Guess defense matters. 

[mnfireman]

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

The article stated it will be Austin Martin.

Thanks, missed that somehow...

Next big decision happens when Correa returns....

[TopGunn#22]

This should be a big boost, and it appears Correa will also be back soon.  I'm glad they kept Kiersey.  Better defense and arm,  and better power and speed combo than Martin.  With Buxton available and Margot NOT a good option to play CF Kiersey makes sense.  

[Doctor Wu]

This is all very confusing. I saw that Margot was coming back, and they were sending Hellman back down, but keeping Keirsey, so I assumed that Buxton's return was delayed once again. Hmm. I just hope he's close to full strength, or even the 90% that was talked about. This lineup needs some sort of energy, so I hope he has it. 

[Doctor Gast]

Maybe Buck will jump on the Sausage rally & go for a ride. As much as the Twins have screwed around with Martin maybe a trip to AAA will help to reset him to where he was. With the return of Margot, it wasn't going to help.

[dxpavelka]

7 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Given a choice I'd rather get Correa back over Buxton.

It's possible that no choice will be needed.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Even if Buxton isn't at 100%, just having him in the line-up provides a much needed boost. Buxton and Correa make the engine go. Hopefully Correa's back soon.

As for Martin...I still think he's going to be a serviceable MLB player but right now, being 'versatile' is just a word for defensive liability. Keeping Keirsey is the right move.

[umterp23]

Some workouts, some live BP vs low minor league arms, what could go wrong?  Let us hope nothing but track record means something happens with either one of them or both.  Just make the playoffs and see what happens.  Go Twins

[MinnInPa]

bat him 8th or 9th for 1st few games ..and see if he can even make contact. 

[Trov]

I have no clue how much pain Buck is or will be in.  The question is will him playing through pain be better than his replacement?  Buck getting hurt running bases is not new either, which is why when there was push to give him days off as DH to help him stay healthy I pushed back saying he gets hurt hitting and running bases more than fielding.  

Hopefully he can play well enough to help push us past the finish line. 

[mickster]

3 hours ago, mnfireman said:

Thanks, missed that somehow...

Next big decision happens when Correa returns....

Kiersey will be sent down, as Margot is back

[mnfireman]

1 minute ago, mickster said:

Kiersey will be sent down, as Margot is back

Unfortunately this is probably what happens... 

[DJL44]

20 minutes ago, mickster said:

Kiersey will be sent down, as Margot is back

Keirsey might hang around until Kepler returns. The obvious demotion for Correa is Brooks Lee. The next obvious is Julien but he's been playing okay (650 OPS) in the last month. It's also possible someone else could use some time on the injured list.

[Vanimal46]

It’s happening! 

[Nashvilletwin]

Martin scores………runs are important to this team.

[C-Gangster]

I wonder who we will send down probably kerisey jr or Camirago  and have an outfield of Larncach, Buxton, Wallner, Margot

[DJL44]

11 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Martin scores………runs are important to this team.

Making outs on defense is also important.

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, MinnInPa said:

bat him 8th or 9th for 1st few games ..and see if he can even make contact. 

Thought the same for Royce (bat 8th) but he had a little success last night. Hope it continues!

[Twins GFP]

8 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Keirsey stays, Martin goes. Interesting choice. Guess defense matters. 

Martin has not exactly been tearing it up offensively.  Maybe the hope is Keirsey can provide a little more.

[gregens]

21 minutes ago, C-Gangster said:

I wonder who we will send down probably kerisey jr or Camirago  and have an outfield of Larncach, Buxton, Wallner, Margot

Camargo was sent down when Vasquez was reactivated.

[LambchoP]

I'm glad Bucks back, I'm just worried it's going to take him awhile to get in a groove with no real rehab assignment. Still, if he's healthy, he makes this team better, on offense and in CF. Martin going down rather than Keirsey makes sense. Keirsey is a much better late game defensive replacement and probably a better pinch runner too. He can also play a solid CF which can not be said for Martin. Question is, who goes down for Correa? Julien or Lee. My guess is Julien, still too many strikeouts. Plus, Lee's defense has been solid, and what recent moves have shown, they are prioritizing defense a bit more. Seems like the perfect time to get Correa and Buxton back. Team is finally catching a second wind for the stretch run! Just hope our pitching can hold up.

[LA Vikes Fan]

As I read this on the transaction wire, Vasquez came back for Camargo, and Margot came back for Helman. The Twins have announced Buxton will be back for Martin although that isn't yet reflected on the wire. 

I think that really only leaves two questions - who goes when Correa is ready to come back and when will that be? Has to be either Lee or Keirsey down unless there's an injury.  I'm guessing that Keirsey may stay so we have a true CF to back up Buxton. Buck isn't 100% and will probably only play 3-4 games a week in the field with another as a DH. So who goes when Correa is ready (hopefully next week)? Unless an injury makes that decision, it looks like it will be Lee. Having said that, a hot streak at the plate by either Lee or Keirsey could change that decision. Lee will play more, so the chance to stay is in his hands. 

[JD-TWINS]

Buxton is key part of the line-up with his 137 OPS+!
Twins best line-up forward:

C - Jeffers 109 OPS+
1B - Santana 108 OPS+
2B - Julien 87 OPS+
SS - Correa 148 OPS+
3B - Miranda 119 OPS+

DH - Lewis 122 OPS+
 

LF - Larnach 114 OPS+
CF - Buxton 137 OPS+
RF - Wallner 159 OPS+
 

I realize that there is no guarantee Correa & Buxton are able to pick up at the same rate as their season numbers suggest. Seems this is a formidable line-up at any level of the playoffs!