The Minnesota Twins have had a busy day ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, but their activity might be matched by the injury blotter as Byron Buxton will undergo more testing on his right knee.
Rocco Baldelli told reporters earlier today that Buxton was experiencing “more discomfort” in his troublesome knee. According to the Pioneer Press’s John Shipley, Buxton is slated to get “a full workup” and is not in the lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
Buxton has been battling his knee since initially injuring it last April. He recently received platelet-rich plasma injections to promote healing in the knee but he has played in just five games since the All-Star Break.
The Twins received more bad news on the status of Alex Kirilloff. Kirilloff had been playing through discomfort in his right wrist and came in midway through Monday night’s victory against the Detroit Tigers.
Kirilloff started hot after he was called up in June but has cooled off, hitting .226/.281/.245 with no homers in his past 17 games.
The Twins also moved Miguel Sanó to the 60-day injured list after he aggravated a knee injury during the final games of his rehab assignment. Baldelli told reporters earlier last week he tried to play through the injury, but after going 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in his return to the lineup, the Twins have opted to shut him down.
To replace Kirilloff on the roster, the Twins have called up Jake Cave from Triple-A St. Paul. Cave is having a tremendous year with the Saints, hitting .273/.370/.509 with 14 homers and 10 stolen bases in 84 games.
Cave last played in Minnesota during the 2021 season hitting .189/.249/.293 with three homers in 76 games.
The Twins also designated Jharel Cotton for assignment to make room for trade acquisitions Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez. The 30-year-old 2.83 ERA in 35 innings this season.
