With an off day Monday, the Twins appear to be on the verge of getting some key players back in the everyday lineup.
Eddie Rosario went through a normal pregame routine Sunday and could be activated from the injured list in time for Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets. Rosario sprained his ankle June 26 against the Rays and has missed the last 13 games.
Getting his bat back in the lineup, in addition to his glove and arm in left field, will be a nice boost. Prior to his injury, Rosario was hitting .282/.312/.529 with 20 homers and 60 RBI.
C.J. Cron, on the 10-day injured list with right thumb inflammation, took ground balls and ran the bases before Sunday’s game in Cleveland. He was placed on the injured list July 6 and is eligible to return Tuesday, although it’s unclear if the Twins will activate him.
Cron is hitting .266/.326/.495 with 17 homers and 54 RBI.
While Rosario and Cron are close to returning, there’s no word on what exactly is going on with Byron Buxton.
Buxton slammed his face into the ground making a diving catch in Saturday’s win over the Indians and left the game.
It’s unclear if Buxton suffered a concussion, nor is it clear when he’ll be back in the lineup.
“Whatever the doctor thought was relevant, we wanted the [doctors] to basically go through everything,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Sunday. “I don’t think there’s anything definitive that we can say right now. Like I said, he did hit the ground very hard, and when that happens, we’re going to make sure we look at our guys.”
Buxton has not bee placed on the injured list so he can get back in the lineup whenever the team feels he’s ready.
The Twins open a nine-game homestand Tuesday with the first of two games against the New York Mets.
