Twins to evaluate Buxton after scheduled off-day

The Twins will wait at least one more day to make a decision on Byron Buxton, who was removed from Tuesday night’s loss to the Athletics due to a recurrence of discomfort in his troublesome right hip. The club did not make a roster move Wednesday, prior to flying home for the start of a six-game homestand.

With only one day left on a California road trip, and Buxton already scheduled to have an off-day Wednesday, it was not a shock that the club held off on any decisions on Buxton. The star center fielder came up gingerly after chasing a ball into the gap in left-center in the seventh inning on Tuesday.

“He's here, which is good,” manager Derek Shelton told reporters in West Sacramento on Wednesday afternoon. “He's sore today, which we kind of assumed coming off last night. He was scheduled for the off-day today and we have tomorrow off, so we'll see where he goes from here.”

Buxton appeared to feel something as he was slowing down for the ball, which tracks with an ongoing problem. Deceleration and stopping have been among the more difficult actions for Buxton as he has managed the issue in his hip.

“He's been battling that hip and there's certain things that bother him like coming to a stop is what bothers it,” said Shelton. “I think that's what happened last night. … I don't know if it was going towards the ball, because I don't think I've ever seen him miss a ball or that he had to stop or if it was a culmination of both.”

If the Twins elect to place Buxton on the 10-day injured list, they could call up top prospect Walker Jenkins, who plays center field and has been on an absolutely torrid streak at Triple-A St. Paul this month.

Ryan takes another step

Right-hander Joe Ryan, who is on the injured list due to a strained left glute muscle, took another step forward in his rehabilitation process on Wednesday. He faced hitters in live batting practice in St. Paul, throwing approximately one simulated inning. Further steps will be determined based on how he feels when he is evaluated Thursday or Friday, but Shelton has said that Ryan will require at least one Minor League rehabilitation start prior to being activated.

Lackey raking

Vahn Lackey, the team’s top pick (No. 2 overall) in the Draft last month, homered for the second straight day Wednesday. It was his second homer in as many games since being promoted from Single-A Fort Myers to High-A Cedar Rapids. Overall on the year, Lackey has a .258/.434/.500 line between the two levels, with three home runs, six stolen bases in seven tries, and more walks than strikeouts.