Minnesota Twins Activate Byron Buxton From 10-Day IL

Coming off a brutal 10-1 blowout loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, the Minnesota Twins are in for some great news going into their next series against the AL Central rival Cleveland Guardians.

Byron Buxton is penciled in to make his return to the lineup following a stint on the 10-day injured list with a right hip injury. As the corresponding transaction, infielder Tristan Gray will be optioned to Triple-A St. Paul.

The injury has been a common issue for the 32-year-old center fielder this season. The first instance occurred in May, causing him to miss five games before returning in June. Unfortunately, Buxton reaggravated the injury on July 5 against the New York Yankees and he was sidelined once again until tonight's matchup.

"We dealt with the hip earlier in the year, gave it some time and it calmed down, and then gave it some time again, and it reaggravated," Twins manager Derek Shelton said, according to ESPN. "I just think with where we're at in the schedule, how he's feeling, knowing that he was going to be down a few days, it was probably the best-case scenario for everybody."

Now, Buxton will look to build on an extraordinary season at the plate in which he has batted .271 while recording 83 hits, 45 RBI and 25 home runs. He has also been a menace on the basepaths with a .328 on-base percentage and seven stolen bases.

“I truly think this is the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball,” he said per FOX Sports. “With the support that we have in here, the resilience that the team has, everything that makes this group us. I know I wouldn’t be here without them.”

In the Twins' 11-4 win over New York the night before he reinjured his hip, Buxton went 1-for-3 at the dish, drawing a walk and knocking in two RBIs to propel Minnesota to their first series win at Yankee Stadium since 2014. 

Buxton has delivered in other key moments of the season, including the team's 9-8 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on June 12 in which he went 3-for-3 at the plate, knocking in one RBI while tying the game in the first inning with a solo homer to center field.

He will have another opportunity to contribute tonight against Cleveland right-hander Tanner Bibee who is 3-9 on the season while holding a 3.90 ERA and notching 87 strikeouts.