Byron Buxton is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s do-or-die playoff game between the Twins and Astros.
Buxton, who had one of Minnesota’s four hits in Tuesday’s Game 1 loss to Houston, has been replaced in the lineup by Alex Kirilloff, the Twins’ No. 2-ranked prospect who will make his MLB debut in a playoff game.
Why Buxton isn’t starting hasn’t been announced by the Twins. Buxton did not appear to sustain any injury during Tuesday’s game, but he is less than a week removed from being hit in the head by a 92 mph fastball in last Friday’s regular season game against the Reds.
Buxton left that game and didn’t play in either of the Saturday-Sunday games.
Because the minor league season was postponed due to COVID-19, Kirilloff hasn’t played in a real game since spring training.
Here’s batting order for Game 2, which starts at 12 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.
- Luis Arraez, 2B
- Max Kepler, CF
- Nelson Cruz, DH
- Eddie Rosario, LF
- Miguel Sano, 1B
- Alex Kirilloff, RF
- Jorge Polanco, SS
- Marwin Gonzalez, 3B
- Ryan Jeffers, C
