MINNEAPOLIS – Twins center fielder Byron Buxton was scratched about two hours before Thursday afternoon's 9-1 win over the Marlins due to what the club called soreness in his right hip flexor.
Buxton had been slated to start at designated hitter and lead off. He’s been one of the hottest hitters in baseball lately, with 15 home runs in his last 26 games and an .899 OPS on the season overall.
"It was a play that happened a couple nights ago," said manager Derek Shelton. "I think it was [Tuesday]. He rounded third on a base hit, really aggressively. And when he put on the brakes, he kind of tweaked it a little bit. And then just this morning being as early as it was, he was a little sore. Especially with where he’s at right [now], there’s no chance that I’m going to put him in a situation where, if it’s sore, I’m going to put him out there."
Austin Martin, who becomes the Twins’ primary right fielder after Matt Wallner was optioned, moved up to the leadoff spot, with Josh Bell serving as the DH in Buxton’s stead.