The Minnesota Twins made its first round of roster cuts Sunday, including prized prospect Byron Buxton.
The outfielder was one of eight reassigned to the Twins’ minor-league camp, while the Twins optioned outfield Max Kepler to Double-A Chattanooga, the Twins announced Sunday.
“[Buxton] needs to do down and get some playing time,” Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said, according to the Pioneer Press. “I think everybody’s aware, he got some time here but we need to get him going. He’ll need regular playing time, four at-bats a day, center field every day.”
The 21-year-old missed most of last season with multiple injuries, playing in just 31 games, FOX Sports says.
The others reassigned to the Twins’ minor-league camp include pitchers Jose Berrios, Tyler Duffey, Ryan O’Rourke and Taylor Rogers; catchers Mitch Garver and Stuart Turner; and infielder Heiker Meneses.
“He did a nice job,” Ryan said of Berrios, according to the Pioneer Press. “There’s no question he performed and did everything you ever wanted him to do. It’s time for him to get on down in the system here.”
The Twins now have 52 players in major-league camp, including 25 pitchers.
Third baseman Miguel Sano is expected to be moved to minor-league camp soon, the Star Tribune reports.
