
Twins keep sore Buxton out of starting lineup with bruised hand, but expect All-Star to be fine
Manager Rocco Baldelli said before the game against the Chicago Cubs that Buxton could be available as a substitute — possibly as a pinch-hitter — depending on how the hand was feeling.
Buxton was hit by a pitch in the first inning on Wednesday and stayed in the game to run the bases but was removed before his next at-bat. The pitch hit at least part of the protective pad Buxton wears on his hand. X-rays showed no breaks.
'Nothing's really gotten worse from yesterday, but he's definitely sore and for the same reasons he came out of the game yesterday, he's not going to be starting the game today,' Baldelli said. 'I think he's going to be fine and I wouldn't be surprised if he's back out there soon."
Buxton was selected for his second All-Star Game and also chosen as a first-time entrant in the Home Run Derby, but his participation in those events next week in his home state of Georgia did not appear to be in jeopardy.
'We're just going to be seeing how he is today and tomorrow and see what he's capable of,' Baldelli said. 'The next couple of days will basically give us that answer.'
The 31-year-old Buxton has 20 home runs through 75 games this year, tied for sixth in the American League. He's also third in the AL in runs and slugging percentage, sixth in OPS and seventh in stolen bases.
___

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


San Francisco Chronicle
43 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Stephenson drives in 3 runs, Martinez finishes with 5 Ks as the Reds beat the Rays 7-2
CINCINNATI (AP) — Tyler Stephenson homered and drove in three runs and Nick Martinez struck out five in five innings as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 on Friday night. Martinez (9-9) allowed four hits and two earned runs as the Reds won their second straight game and for the fourth time in seven games since the All-Star break. Stephenson's solo shot in the second inning was his eighth homer of the season. He droved in two more runs with a single in the seventh inning. TJ Freidl hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, his 10th of the season. Elly De La Cruz went 4 for 5 with a run scored, and Austin Hays was 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Jonathan Aranda and Taylor Walls each drove in a run for the Rays, who lost for the seventh time in 10 games. Zack Littell (8-8) allowed 10 hits and five runs with two strikeouts in the loss. He has allowed a league-leading 26 homers this season. Key stat The Reds stranded eight runners, and went 5 for 17 with runners in scoring position. Up next Tampa Bay RHP Ryan Pepiot (6-8) will face Cincinnati LHP Andrew Abbott (8-1) in the second game of the three-game series. ___


Fox Sports
43 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Stephenson drives in 3 runs, Martinez finishes with 5 Ks as the Reds beat the Rays 7-2
Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) — Tyler Stephenson homered and drove in three runs and Nick Martinez struck out five in five innings as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 on Friday night. Martinez (9-9) allowed four hits and two earned runs as the Reds won their second straight game and for the fourth time in seven games since the All-Star break. Stephenson's solo shot in the second inning was his eighth homer of the season. He droved in two more runs with a single in the seventh inning. TJ Freidl hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, his 10th of the season. Elly De La Cruz went 4 for 5 with a run scored, and Austin Hays was 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Jonathan Aranda and Taylor Walls each drove in a run for the Rays, who lost for the seventh time in 10 games. Zack Littell (8-8) allowed 10 hits and five runs with two strikeouts in the loss. He has allowed a league-leading 26 homers this season. Key moment Stephenson's single with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh extended the Reds' lead from three to five runs. Key stat The Reds stranded eight runners, and went 5 for 17 with runners in scoring position. Up next Tampa Bay RHP Ryan Pepiot (6-8) will face Cincinnati LHP Andrew Abbott (8-1) in the second game of the three-game series. ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 2


Hamilton Spectator
44 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Stephenson drives in 3 runs, Martinez finishes with 5 Ks as the Reds beat the Rays 7-2
CINCINNATI (AP) — Tyler Stephenson homered and drove in three runs and Nick Martinez struck out five in five innings as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 on Friday night. Martinez (9-9) allowed four hits and two earned runs as the Reds won their second straight game and for the fourth time in seven games since the All-Star break. Stephenson's solo shot in the second inning was his eighth homer of the season. He droved in two more runs with a single in the seventh inning. TJ Freidl hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, his 10th of the season. Elly De La Cruz went 4 for 5 with a run scored, and Austin Hays was 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Jonathan Aranda and Taylor Walls each drove in a run for the Rays, who lost for the seventh time in 10 games. Zack Littell (8-8) allowed 10 hits and five runs with two strikeouts in the loss. He has allowed a league-leading 26 homers this season. Key moment Stephenson's single with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh extended the Reds' lead from three to five runs. Key stat The Reds stranded eight runners, and went 5 for 17 with runners in scoring position. Up next Tampa Bay RHP Ryan Pepiot (6-8) will face Cincinnati LHP Andrew Abbott (8-1) in the second game of the three-game series. ___ AP MLB: