MINNEAPOLIS -- Byron Buxton's left arm was immobilized in a large black cast, but that did little to dampen the jokes, quips or smiles coming from the center fielder as he enjoyed being in the home clubhouse at Target Field before Friday's game against the Royals.

The plan was always for Buxton to return to be with the team following season-ending surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder on Sept. 10. The Twins are confident that his energy and swagger in the clubhouse will prove beneficial to his teammates as they push toward an American League Central title in the final games of the regular season.

"Buck's place in this clubhouse is lofty," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "He's extremely well respected, and I think guys were waiting for him to get back here. We talk about the energy that he brings. He brings it whether he’s playing or not. He lights up the room, and I'm glad he's able to be back here with us this quickly and spend some time with the group."

While speaking with reporters for the first time since his surgery, the 25-year-old center fielder confirmed the procedure revealed slightly less damage than anticipated, and that his recovery timeline is around 4-6 months.

Buxton's left arm will be kept immobile for six weeks, and depending on his progress with physical therapy, he could begin working out soon after. Buxton is no doubt frustrated that he can't be on the field as part of the playoff chase, and he has also started to appreciate how much he would generally need his left arm in everyday life.

But he's resolved to keep perspective and be a buoyant teammate who can still contribute to the pennant race -- just off the field.

"Don't change. Be me," Buxton said. "Smile every day and just take it how it is. I can't change the situation, so just keep everybody in the game. Like [Baldelli] said, I like to bring a lot of energy and keep people smiling, and keep people feeling good. That's what I'm going to try to do. I keep everybody up."

Buxton said he realized soon after running into the outfield fence at Marlins Park on Aug. 1 that the injury might be more severe than anticipated. Though he had been optimistic that he wouldn't need surgery, his setback while on a rehab assignment with Class A Cedar Rapids reinforced in his mind that the repairs would be necessary.

He did return to the team in a limited capacity as only a fielder and pinch-runner for five games at the beginning of September. But after discussions with people all around the clubhouse, his parents, his wife and others, he made the decision to undergo the season-ending procedure.

"The toughest thing was me accepting that I had to have surgery," Buxton said. "It was one of those situations where I wanted to do anything I could. I couldn't swing the bat, so I wanted to do anything I could to give us some help."

He still can. He understands that now. Most importantly, he's still having fun being around his team and watching the club push towards the postseason.

"It's more of a blessing that they still want me around in the clubhouse, even in this situation," Buxton said. "I'm just glad I can still be in here even though I can't go out there and compete. Just to be around these guys, it means a lot."

Playoff ticket strips sold out
The Twins announced on Friday that they have sold out their allotment of ticket strips for potential AL Division Series games at Target Field. A limited number of single-game tickets will be made available at a later date.

Minnesota had already sold out its allotment of full postseason ticket strips. In the event that the Twins qualify for the postseason and advance beyond the ALDS, strips for possible home games in the AL Championship Series will be made available in the coming weeks.

If the event the Twins clinch a postseason berth and Friday's standings among the division leaders hold, they would be scheduled to host Game 3 of the ALDS on Oct. 7, and a Game 4, if necessary, on Oct. 8.

Should the Twins close deficits against the Yankees or Astros in the final days of the regular season, they could host Games 1 and 2 on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, as well as a possible Game 5 on Oct. 10.