Buxton misses game after being hit in hand

TWINS REPORT

But Baldelli ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if he plays in Pirates series

Minnesota’s Byron Buxton (25) is looked at by manager Rocco Baldelli (5), left, and a trainer after being hit by a pitch during the first inning Wednesday night in Minneapolis. ABBIE PARR — ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Dane Mizutani

dmizutani@pioneerpress.com

After being hit by a pitch on Wednesday night at Target Field and leaving the game with a left hand contusion, star center fielder Byron Buxton was not in the lineup for the Twins on Thursday afternoon.

Asked for an update on Buxton before the series finale against the Chicago Cubs, manager Rocco Baldelli didn’t seem too concerned, saying, “the update is he’s doing fine.”

The fact that Buxton initially stayed in the game after being hit by a pitch suggested that it wasn’t a serious injury on the surface. Naturally, he showcased his value in real time, stealing second base, then coming around to score before being taken out of the game his next time at the plate.

“It’s all judgement and relying on the trainer and the player to make a decision out there on the field,” Baldelli said. “He was like, ‘Just leave me in and let me run and we can look at it when I get back in the dugout.’”

Though he didn’t speak to reporters before the Twins ended up suffering a 8-1 loss to the Cubs, Buxton was spotted in the clubhouse, and he appeared to be in good spirits while doing a live television appearance on MLB Network. Still unknown is whether the injury will affect Buxton’s status in next week’s All-Star Game or Home Run Derby.

“Nothing has really gotten worse,” Baldelli said. “He’s definitely sore and for the same reason that he came out of the game yesterday he’s not going to be starting the game today. Nothing really more to mention besides that. We’re going to continue to evaluate him and get him treatment and then see how he’s doing later on.”

The Twins missed Buxton’s presence during series finale against the Cubs. There were a few occasions when a ball hit to the outfield found it’s way to the ground, and the offense never got revved up with the team’s hottest hitter stuck on the pine.

Baldelli said Buxton was never going to enter Thursday’s contest.

“It’s not actually a sign that anything negative occurred,” Baldelli said. “We were just going to get him (some rest) today and see if we can get him ready for (Friday).”

Does that mean Buxton will be back for the Twins this weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates?

“I can’t say that,” Baldelli said. “I wouldn’t speculate. I think he’s going to be fine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was back out there soon.”