The Minnesota Twins plan to activate outfielder Byron Buxton from the 10-day injured list before Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Buxton has been out since August 13 due to inflammation in his right hip. Manager Rocco Baldelli shared this update after the Twins’ 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. To make space for Buxton on the roster, utility player Austin Martin will be sent down to Triple-A St. Paul.
Buxton started a rehab stint with St. Paul on September 2 but had to stop after two games because of a recurrence of his injury.
This week, he took part in pregame hitting sessions at Target Field with minor league pitchers, along with shortstop Carlos Correa, who has been out since July 16 due to plantar fasciitis.
Buxton, a former All-Star and Platinum Glove winner, has been on the injured list twice this season. He missed 23 games earlier in the year because of right knee inflammation and has now missed 28 games with his current injury.
The 30-year-old has played 90 games this season so far. If he plays two more games, it will be the second-most he’s played in a single season, just behind the 140 games he played in 2017. Buxton’s current stats include a .275 batting average, 16 home runs, and 49 RBIs.
