MINNEAPOLIS – Byron Buxton worked out on the field at Target Field prior to Saturday’s game against the Brewers, a noteworthy step forward as he works to return from a bout of right hip flexor soreness.
Buxton remains confident that it will be a matter of days, not weeks, before he’s back in the lineup.
“Today felt good,” Buxton said. “Obviously, it's a little bit warmer, so that helps. But to be able to get out and run, I did my fielding stuff. I've got to do more stuff in the weight training room. To be able to test it out, it feels good. Two days ago I definitely wasn't doing this.”
Buxton first felt something in the joint in Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over the Marlins. He played Wednesday, but prior to Thursday’s day game, the joint acted up and he was scratched. He has not played since.
Manager Derek Shelton did not sound like someone who anticipates an injured list stint for his best player.
“I think we’ll have a better idea after those baseball activities,” Shelton said Saturday afternoon. “But the fact that he’s out there moving around, I think we’re trending in the right direction, and then we’ll have a better idea after he gets out and moves around.”
Buxton has had enough long absences in his career that he’s more than willing to play it cautiously to ensure a shorter time on the shelf.
“It's just being smart,” Buxton said. “I don't want to make the tightness, if that's what it is, become something major.
“The biggest thing is to make sure I'm playing. I know for me, playing keeps me sane, keeps me chill. That's the biggest thing, is to make sure I'm there for the guys, but also understanding this is May and they're going to need me for the rest of the year. If it is a couple of days of missing time for this now rather than missing months if it was to lead to something like that.”
Bradley set for rehab start
Taj Bradley is getting closer to returning to action. Bradley, currently on the injured list due to right pec muscle inflammation, came through a bullpen session well and is slated to make a Minor League rehabilitation start for Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.
It’s not known how many rehab starts the club would like Bradley to get. But given that he has been out for only 11 days as of Saturday, it is not hard to imagine he could return to the active roster without an extensive rehab.
Twins tidbits
Right-handed reliever Cody Laweryson made a rehabilitation appearance for St. Paul on Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning with no hits, one walk and no strikeouts. Laweryson is returning from a right forearm strain. … Trevor Larnach returned to the lineup after missing three days with upper back tightness. … Hendry Mendez, the Twins’ No. 12 prospect, hit his first Triple-A home run on Saturday.