Twins place Byron Buxton on 10-day injured list

HOUSTON, TX – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day Injured List with a low grade right hip strain, selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez from Triple-A St. Paul, recalled catcher Caleb Hamilton and optioned left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer.

Buxton has hit .224 (76-for-340) with 13 doubles, three triples, 28 home runs, 51 RBI, 61 runs scored, a .306 on-base percentage, a .526 slugging percentage and an .833 OPS in 92 games for the Twins this season. The 2022 American League All-Star entered today tied for third in the AL in home runs.

Sanchez, 30, has made 10 starts for the Saints this season, going 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA (47.1 IP, 20 ER), 15 walks and 33 strikeouts. He made one start for the Twins on August 1 vs. the Detroit Tigers, allowing two runs on four hits in 5.0 innings pitched, with two walks and eight strikeouts in a 5-3 Twins victory. He is scheduled to make the start tonight in Houston against the Astros.

Hamilton, 27, has played in 62 games for the Saints this season, hitting .233 (48-for-206) with 10 doubles, 11 home runs, 43 RBI and an .809 OPS. He played in three games for the Twins last month, including making his major league debut on July 17 vs. Chicago-AL.

Smeltzer, who was recalled on Saturday, appeared in one game in relief, allowing one run on five hits in 3.0 innings pitched against the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

Additionally, the Twins have transferred outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff (right wrist surgery) to the 60-day Injured List.