Buxton limited – Byron Buxton is healthy enough to hit, but his right hip soreness and a right shoulder issue have him limited to designated hitter duty. With Buxton kept out of center, Kody Clemens made his first professional center start, while Taj Bradley’s next start was p
When Byron Buxton stepped into the lineup again, it wasn’t to chase fly balls in center. It was to do what he could do comfortably right now: produce at the plate.
Buxton is dealing with right hip soreness that dates back to the Twins’ last homestand, an issue that cost him five games. Since returning on May 19, he has played the outfield only once, and Wednesday night marked his third straight start as the designated hitter.
His speed has looked sharp anyway. On Tuesday, he showed it during Brooks Lee’s game-winning hit in the 11th inning with baserunning that made the moment feel even faster. Still, Buxton said after that game that stopping brings discomfort.
“We’re working on that brake system,” Buxton said. “It’s good though. Every day it’s progressing, feeling better. Keep going day by day and go from there. Obviously it’s May so I don’t want to do something stupid, which is hard. They’re keeping me contained.”
Manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday afternoon that Buxton is also fighting an issue in his right (throwing) shoulder. Shelton tied it to a slide over the weekend in Boston.
“Buck’s still battling a shoulder thing,” Shelton said. “He slid in in Boston and kind of jammed it a little bit so he’s been battling that a little bit.”
Taken together, the hip and shoulder problems have left the Twins holding Buxton out of center.
That absence has meant constant shuffling in center field. In Buxton’s absence, the Twins have used a variety of players, including Austin Martin, James Outman and Ryan Kreidler. Wednesday brought a different look: Kody Clemens.
Clemens made his first professional start in center field. He entered the game having played one inning in center in his career.
With the starting outfield set as Trevor Larnach, Austin Martin and Clemens, Shelton chose not to move Martin into center to accommodate Clemens. Larnach started in the lineup, Martin stayed in right field, and Shelton kept Martin there so he could get the reps he needs.
Martin is playing right field regularly for the first time, and the Twins want him to get all the reps that he can there.
The Twins’ lineup decisions aren’t the only ones shaped by the calendar. Right-hander Taj Bradley’s next start was pushed back one day so he can get extra time between outings. The reason is simple: the Twins are in the middle of 17 straight games without a day off.
Bradley’s adjustment also reflects that he is still building his rhythm. This will be his second start since coming off the injured list, so the added time isn’t surprising. He will go in the Friday night series opener in Pittsburgh.
For Thursday’s series finale against the White Sox, no starter was announced. Lefty Kendry Rojas would be a likely candidate if he does not pitch Wednesday night.
Other roster movement continues behind the scenes. After a slow start at Triple-A St. Paul, Matt Wallner has shown signs of turning it around in recent days: he doubled twice on Tuesday, then singled and drew two walks on Wednesday.
Right-hander Luis Garcia has elected free agency after clearing waivers. He was designated for assignment when Bradley was reinstated from the injured list. Right-hander Dan Altavilla has also been released, after pitching at St. Paul.
Byron Buxton designated hitter right hip soreness right shoulder issue Derek Shelton Kody Clemens center field Taj Bradley Pittsburgh White Sox Kendry Rojas Matt Wallner Luis Garcia Dan Altavilla Twins