The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed outfielder Byron Buxton and right-handed pitcher Michael Pineda on the 10-day Injured List, Buxton with a left shoulder subluxation and Pineda with a right triceps strain. The club also announced that they have returned first baseman C.J. Cron from his rehab assignment and will reinstate him from 10-day Injured List.
Buxton, who injured his left shoulder on Thursday in Miami, has appeared in 82 games this season, hitting .262 (71-for-271) with 30 doubles, four triples, 46 RBI, 19 walks, 48 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and an .827 OPS.
Pineda has made 21 starts for the Twins this season, going 7-5 with a 4.15 ERA (117.0 IP, 54 ER), 23 walks, 103 strikeouts and 11 quality starts.
Cron, who has missed the last 12 games with right thumb inflammation, recently played in two rehab games with the GCL Twins, going 1-for-8 with a solo home run. Cron has played in 83 games for the Twins this season, hitting .263 (84-for-320) with 20 doubles, 18 home runs, 55 RBI, 23 walks and an .814 OPS.
To replace Buxton and Pineda on the 25-man roster, the Twins have recalled right-handed pitcher Zack Littell and outfielder Jake Cave from Triple-A Rochester. Littell, who appeared in three games for the Red Wings during his recent minor league stint, appeared in 14 games for the Twins this season, going 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA (18.1 IP, 10 ER), six walks and 17 strikeouts. Cave, who played in seven games during his recent minor league stint with the Wings, has played in 35 games for the Twins this season, hitting .193 (16-for-83) with three doubles, two home runs, nine RBI and 10 walks.
To make room for Cron on the 25-man roster, the Twins have optioned left-handed pitcher Lewis Thorpe to Triple-A Rochester. Thorpe appeared in four games (1 start) for the Twins this season, going 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA (11.1 IP, 4 ER), two walks and 10 strikeouts.